With health-care reform, the good news is nearly always in the bad news. Each independent analysis of the new law that will eventually extend insurance to nearly everyone is treated as a doomsday report of rising costs to individuals, businesses and the government. But at bottom they tend to show just the opposite.
That is the case with the big report this week of the Medicare actuarial office, which studied the impact of the law through 2019, when it fully phases in, and compared that to what would likely happen if the law had not been enacted and the country continued along its present course.
The bottom line is that the average amount spent by Americans on health care in 2019 will be $13,652, compared with $13,387 that would be spent per person if there were no health-care reform. The difference is $265 per person.
But that is unvarnished good news. The reason that total health spending and the average health spending per person will go up is that tens of millions of people in 2019 will have health insurance who would not otherwise have it. If they are insured through Medicaid or a private health plan acquired through the new state health insurance exchanges, they will go to the doctor and to the hospital more often than if they were not insured. If they did not, there would be no point in extending health coverage to everyone.
Remember that during the big health care debate in 2009 one premise for opposing the legislation, especially in Arkansas, was that if all the poor people and the other uninsured could afford to go to the doctor or the hospital when they got sick it would mean that doctors and hospitals would no longer have the time and space to treat you because there are already not enough primary-care doctors. And Arkansas has a greater proportion of poor people and adult uninsured than just about any state.
No one — not the Medicare economists, the Congressional Budget Office or independent nonprofit foundations like Kaiser that study these things — can project reliably what will happen over the next nine years. Too much depends upon human behavior.
It is only a learned guess how many of the millions of uninsured who are above 400 percent of the family poverty line will buy insurance in the years after the mandate tolls in 2014 and how many will simply pay the tax penalty and wait until they get sick to get insurance.
The Medicare actuary predicted that 6 million more people will buy insurance than the Congressional Budget Office predicted back in the winter when Congress was passing the legislation. That largely accounts for the slightly higher per-person spending on health care in 2019.
If you are already insured, either through employer group plans or the very expensive individual policies, you can look at the actuarial projections in a different way. It means that you, or you and your employer combined, will almost certainly be paying less for your insurance in 2019 and beyond than you would if the law had not passed or if it is repealed. The steadily increasing medical costs of the uninsured who do get treated at hospitals would continue to be shifted to you without the new law. That is why Arkansas’s hospitals were the biggest supporters of the law. If the law succeeds in insuring just about everyone it will nearly end the hospitals’ vast unreimbursed care, and that means those costs will cease to be passed along to the insured.
One conclusion from all the studies is that the health law in this decade will not drive down total health-care spending or the individual cost of treatment and drugs. It will begin to do that but very modestly in its second decade unless Congress comes back and weakens the law.
But we all know why there are no draconian cost savings in the law. The only way that the government can force cost savings is through government insurance. That could not pass, so Obamacare, as it is called, simply builds upon the employment-based private insurance system. The government can wring economies from the government insurance programs, principally Medicare and Medicaid, which are the programs that insure the sickest people, but the steps that would regulate private insurance spending are hard to pass. The new health law will cap the overhead and profits of insurance companies, but if there is a Republican Congress and president in two years that is the one feature of the law that is sure to go. The insurance industry hates it.
The law will make some significant savings the next 10 years in government costs, mainly by reducing the huge taxpayer subsidy to insurance companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans to the elderly and disabled. But those savings will not reverse the ceaseless rise in medical costs.
The Medicare actuary’s analysis ought to be particularly good news for Arkansas if it broke costs down by states. It almost certainly would show an increase in total health-care spending greater than the nation as a whole because a larger part of Arkansas’s adult population is not insured and will become insured with large federal support in 2014 and beyond. Greater health-care spending in one of the unhealthiest populations in the country is unalloyed good news — particularly if we’re not going to pay for it, or at least very few of us.
Friday, September 10, 2010
TOP STORY > >New schedule needs more drivers
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
The Pulaski County Special School District is hiring up to 50 new bus drivers to comply with a court agreement on readjusting bus pickup and bell schedules for elementary schools.
The new bell schedules will start Monday.
Most PCSSD elementary schools will start school around 8:25 a.m. and end about 3:15 p.m., but the buses wouldn’t be picking up elementary students until around 4 or 4:15 p.m.
At most schools, the students will have choices to pass the time while waiting for the buses.
“Students will either be involved in tutoring, have homework help or be on the playground,” said Deb Roush, a spokeswoman for the district. Adults will supervise all three of the activities.
Roush said that as buses and drivers become available, the disrict will move the pickup times down to match the actual dismissal times.
“We hope to have all the bus times in line with the dismissal bell by the end of October,” Roush said.
The district, about a week before school, changed the bell schedule from what it had been the last few years to an earlier start time for elementary students (7:30 a.m.) and a later start time for secondary schools (8:30 a.m.). After parents complained loudly, the district reversed itself, making secondary schools start early and elementary school start later.
Then came the court agreement between the district and the teacher’s union to change the schedule one more time.
Superintendent Dr. Charles Hopson said, “Our limitation with our current transportation system is that the same bus and driver transport both the secondary and elementary students, and the window for our bell schedule is determined by the roughly 700 square miles the drivers must cover to get all students to school on time.”
Drivers will be paid $40 a day and be driving routes that are an hour to an hour and a half long.
Applicants must have a clean record, be at least 21 years old, have a commercial driver’s license and pass a Department of Transportation physical and a drug screening.
Those interested in driving a bus should call the district’s training office at 490-5715.
Parents, with questions about the new bell schedule or bus pickups, are encouraged to call the principal at their child’s school.
In a recent letter to parents, the superintendent said, “While I know I can never please everyone with decisions I make as an instructional leader and superintendent.
“I hope all of you realize it is never my intention to make your lives difficult as I seek to position this district to provide a world-class experience for every student.”
Leader staff writer
The Pulaski County Special School District is hiring up to 50 new bus drivers to comply with a court agreement on readjusting bus pickup and bell schedules for elementary schools.
The new bell schedules will start Monday.
Most PCSSD elementary schools will start school around 8:25 a.m. and end about 3:15 p.m., but the buses wouldn’t be picking up elementary students until around 4 or 4:15 p.m.
At most schools, the students will have choices to pass the time while waiting for the buses.
“Students will either be involved in tutoring, have homework help or be on the playground,” said Deb Roush, a spokeswoman for the district. Adults will supervise all three of the activities.
Roush said that as buses and drivers become available, the disrict will move the pickup times down to match the actual dismissal times.
“We hope to have all the bus times in line with the dismissal bell by the end of October,” Roush said.
The district, about a week before school, changed the bell schedule from what it had been the last few years to an earlier start time for elementary students (7:30 a.m.) and a later start time for secondary schools (8:30 a.m.). After parents complained loudly, the district reversed itself, making secondary schools start early and elementary school start later.
Then came the court agreement between the district and the teacher’s union to change the schedule one more time.
Superintendent Dr. Charles Hopson said, “Our limitation with our current transportation system is that the same bus and driver transport both the secondary and elementary students, and the window for our bell schedule is determined by the roughly 700 square miles the drivers must cover to get all students to school on time.”
Drivers will be paid $40 a day and be driving routes that are an hour to an hour and a half long.
Applicants must have a clean record, be at least 21 years old, have a commercial driver’s license and pass a Department of Transportation physical and a drug screening.
Those interested in driving a bus should call the district’s training office at 490-5715.
Parents, with questions about the new bell schedule or bus pickups, are encouraged to call the principal at their child’s school.
In a recent letter to parents, the superintendent said, “While I know I can never please everyone with decisions I make as an instructional leader and superintendent.
“I hope all of you realize it is never my intention to make your lives difficult as I seek to position this district to provide a world-class experience for every student.”
TOP STORY > >Veteran cop to turn in badge
By PEG KENYON
Special to The Leader
After spending 26 of his 32 years in law enforcement with the Jacksonville Police Department, Capt. Charles Jenkins will turn in his gun and badge next week to sell insurance and spend more time ministering to young people.
“I will be selling insurance – property, casualty and commercial, but at the end of this month, I will be going to school for life and health insurance so I can sell all kinds of it,” Jenkins said. “And my wife (Pearl) and I are going to pursue children’s evangelism.
“In fact, we just completed our first evangelistic crusade at Changepoint Church in Cabot. It went wonderfully, and I just love ministering to children.”
At the end of September, Jenkins will also be attending the Arkansas School of Ministry affiliated with the Assembly of God.
Jenkins is also known for his volunteer work at McArthur Assembly of God in Jacksonville.
These two careers, at first, do not seem to mesh well until hearing Jenkins recall his days as a school-resource officer, his time with the D.A.R.E. program at Pinewood and Dupree elementary schools and how he helped to implement a summer program called Police and Kids Together.
His favorite time in law enforcement was from 1994-1998 when he worked in the school-resource unit.
“Prior to getting into school resource, I was the stereotypical police officer – thick-skinned and cynical,” Jenkins said. “I credit school resource with really opening up my eyes and increasing my effectiveness as a police officer.
“Understand when an officer deals day in and day out with the bad, you get to see 90 percent of the time people at their worst.
Now, that doesn’t mean they’re all bad, but that we just get to see them at their worst. You can fall into the trap of thinking that the whole world is like that,” he said.
While teaching students at Pinewood and Dupree elementary schools, and Jacksonville High School, he also learned some important lessons, which he says gave him a new perspective on life.
“They changed my attitude not only on the world but my job,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins recalled one incident that left a lasting impression on him. “At the end of the first year of PAKT, we had the kids write an essay of what the program had meant to them,” he said.
“A little 12-year-old girl wrote in her essay that she had been thinking of killing herself because she didn’t believe anybody cared about her, but that the three SROs (school resource officers) had shown her that at least three people did care about her, so she decided not to do it,” he said.
“We didn’t know anything about her plans. We were just doing our jobs,” Jenkins added.
Former students stay in touch with Jenkins. “I still talk and see a lot of those high school students and DARE kids as well as their parents on a regular basis,” Jenkins said.
In fact, April Kiser, who now serves as the JPD’s patrol secretary and public-information officer, was among one of Jenkins’ students.
“April was actually one of my high school kids,” Jenkins said with a smile.
Despite his 26 years with the local police department, Jenkins initially became an officer elsewhere.
“I started out in June of 1978 in the little town of Gil-lett and worked there a couple of months before leaving to go back to my hometown, Stuttgart,” Jenkins said. “I was a police officer in Stuttgart for about a year.”
Jenkins left law enforcement briefly in 1979. He re-turned to become a patrol officer in England until August 1983. Between
October 1983 and January 1984, he was a prison guard for the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
“It didn’t take me very long to decide that wasn’t my cup of tea,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins then joined the Jacksonville police force on Feb. 5, 1984. He was hired as a patrol officer and served seven years in that capacity.
In 1991, he was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division and served as a detective until February 1994.
After his time with the school resource, Jenkins went back to patrolling Jacksonville streets. Jenkins was soon promoted to lieutenant and moved to the patrol division.
In 2002, Jenkins became a captain. His initial assignment as captain was in support services. In 2006, Jenkins requested a transfer to the patrol division and served as its commander for about a year. And once again, he was reassigned to support services.
“As you see, the bulk of my time as captain was spent in support services,” Jenkins said. “Support services is a lot of things, and we have 15 separate missions.”
Those missions include officer training, warrants, records and courtroom security. Other goals focus on community-service programs and building maintenance.
He even served as police chaplain for a while, but he says, “Had it not been for the D.A.R.E. program, it would be very unlikely that I would have gotten into ministry.”
At the police station, several of Jenkins’ fellow police officers expressed sadness about him leaving and joked with him about the good times.
“The biggest thing I think I’ll miss is the camaraderie of the other officers here and the interactions with the local citizens,” Jenkins said. “You can’t do something for about 32 years and not miss it.”
Jacksonville Police Chief Gary Sipes said he was sorry to see Jenkins retire.
“I hate to lose Capt. Jenkins’ knowledge and his abilities he has in PR (public relations) and with the kids in school,” Sipes said.
“He’s going to be hard to replace.”
A retirement luncheon will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17 at the police station on 1412 Main St. The public is welcome.
Meanwhile, Jenkins is boxing up his personal belongings that have accumulated in his office over nearly three decades.
“I’ll take several suitcases of memories with me, and I know the future is going to be different,” he said as he was cleaning out his office.
Special to The Leader
After spending 26 of his 32 years in law enforcement with the Jacksonville Police Department, Capt. Charles Jenkins will turn in his gun and badge next week to sell insurance and spend more time ministering to young people.
“I will be selling insurance – property, casualty and commercial, but at the end of this month, I will be going to school for life and health insurance so I can sell all kinds of it,” Jenkins said. “And my wife (Pearl) and I are going to pursue children’s evangelism.
“In fact, we just completed our first evangelistic crusade at Changepoint Church in Cabot. It went wonderfully, and I just love ministering to children.”
At the end of September, Jenkins will also be attending the Arkansas School of Ministry affiliated with the Assembly of God.
Jenkins is also known for his volunteer work at McArthur Assembly of God in Jacksonville.
These two careers, at first, do not seem to mesh well until hearing Jenkins recall his days as a school-resource officer, his time with the D.A.R.E. program at Pinewood and Dupree elementary schools and how he helped to implement a summer program called Police and Kids Together.
His favorite time in law enforcement was from 1994-1998 when he worked in the school-resource unit.
“Prior to getting into school resource, I was the stereotypical police officer – thick-skinned and cynical,” Jenkins said. “I credit school resource with really opening up my eyes and increasing my effectiveness as a police officer.
“Understand when an officer deals day in and day out with the bad, you get to see 90 percent of the time people at their worst.
Now, that doesn’t mean they’re all bad, but that we just get to see them at their worst. You can fall into the trap of thinking that the whole world is like that,” he said.
While teaching students at Pinewood and Dupree elementary schools, and Jacksonville High School, he also learned some important lessons, which he says gave him a new perspective on life.
“They changed my attitude not only on the world but my job,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins recalled one incident that left a lasting impression on him. “At the end of the first year of PAKT, we had the kids write an essay of what the program had meant to them,” he said.
“A little 12-year-old girl wrote in her essay that she had been thinking of killing herself because she didn’t believe anybody cared about her, but that the three SROs (school resource officers) had shown her that at least three people did care about her, so she decided not to do it,” he said.
“We didn’t know anything about her plans. We were just doing our jobs,” Jenkins added.
Former students stay in touch with Jenkins. “I still talk and see a lot of those high school students and DARE kids as well as their parents on a regular basis,” Jenkins said.
In fact, April Kiser, who now serves as the JPD’s patrol secretary and public-information officer, was among one of Jenkins’ students.
“April was actually one of my high school kids,” Jenkins said with a smile.
Despite his 26 years with the local police department, Jenkins initially became an officer elsewhere.
“I started out in June of 1978 in the little town of Gil-lett and worked there a couple of months before leaving to go back to my hometown, Stuttgart,” Jenkins said. “I was a police officer in Stuttgart for about a year.”
Jenkins left law enforcement briefly in 1979. He re-turned to become a patrol officer in England until August 1983. Between
October 1983 and January 1984, he was a prison guard for the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
“It didn’t take me very long to decide that wasn’t my cup of tea,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins then joined the Jacksonville police force on Feb. 5, 1984. He was hired as a patrol officer and served seven years in that capacity.
In 1991, he was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division and served as a detective until February 1994.
After his time with the school resource, Jenkins went back to patrolling Jacksonville streets. Jenkins was soon promoted to lieutenant and moved to the patrol division.
In 2002, Jenkins became a captain. His initial assignment as captain was in support services. In 2006, Jenkins requested a transfer to the patrol division and served as its commander for about a year. And once again, he was reassigned to support services.
“As you see, the bulk of my time as captain was spent in support services,” Jenkins said. “Support services is a lot of things, and we have 15 separate missions.”
Those missions include officer training, warrants, records and courtroom security. Other goals focus on community-service programs and building maintenance.
He even served as police chaplain for a while, but he says, “Had it not been for the D.A.R.E. program, it would be very unlikely that I would have gotten into ministry.”
At the police station, several of Jenkins’ fellow police officers expressed sadness about him leaving and joked with him about the good times.
“The biggest thing I think I’ll miss is the camaraderie of the other officers here and the interactions with the local citizens,” Jenkins said. “You can’t do something for about 32 years and not miss it.”
Jacksonville Police Chief Gary Sipes said he was sorry to see Jenkins retire.
“I hate to lose Capt. Jenkins’ knowledge and his abilities he has in PR (public relations) and with the kids in school,” Sipes said.
“He’s going to be hard to replace.”
A retirement luncheon will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17 at the police station on 1412 Main St. The public is welcome.
Meanwhile, Jenkins is boxing up his personal belongings that have accumulated in his office over nearly three decades.
“I’ll take several suitcases of memories with me, and I know the future is going to be different,” he said as he was cleaning out his office.
TOP STORY > >Audit panel tells PCSSD to shape up
By GARRICK FELDMAN
Leader executive editor
The state Legislative Audit Committee had another showdown with the Pulaski County Special School District Board on Friday and warned the board to straighten out its finances.
More checks and balances are being put in place under new Superintendent Charles Hopson to eliminate improper reimbursements to board members and others.
School board member Bill Vasquez of Jacksonville said the audit committee was exaggerating problems in the district, which prompted Sen. Bobby Glover (D-Carlisle), the committee chairman, to say, “I don’t appreciate your criticizing the Legislative
Audit Committee for doing its job. We’ll continue to call you in and stay on top of it.”
The committee told the board to return for the next audit meeting in December and threatened to subpoena board members who were not there on Friday.
Most of the school board attended the session, although Gwen Williams, who still owes the district for improper expenses, was not there. Board member Sandra Sawyer was also absent.
The meeting was called to review what steps had been taken to improve the district’s financial practices after an audit in June revealed several abuses.
“I don’t think they have theiract together,” said Sen. John Paul Capps (D-Searcy).
But Hopson, who became superintendent earlier this year, said after the meeting, “This is a wakeup call for the district to be more accountable and govern itself more efficiently.”
“We’re working aggressively to put controls in place and tracking expenditures,” he continued. “If there had been structures in place, many of these things wouldn’t have happened because of the checks and balances we now have.”
Board member Mildred Tatum has repaid the district $2,788 for improper charges, including a ticket to a Broadway play and $321 for two nights and valet parking at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, when she attended a local conference.
Tatum lives a few miles outside Little Rock. Williams has repaid $369 in improper expenses and only owes about $150. In a separate case, she’s accused of taking a $100 bribe to help a contractor build a sidewalk at Harris Elementary School in an area she represents.
According to the audit, former Superintendent James Sharpe owes the district more than $25,000 for overpayments, including travel reimbursements and unearned sick leave.
Board expenses from July 1, 2006 to March 3, 2006 included $37,855 for travel reimbursements and $8,544 for food and catering for workshops and meetings. Board policy does not impose a limit on food purchases.
The audit found about $7,000 of that improper. When it met in May, the Legislative Audit Committee discussed having the state take over the district for financial malfeasance and incompetence, and in June, it decided to audit the PCSSD annually.
In May, the auditors said more than half a million dollars had been stolen or misappropriated over the past six years.
Some employees, including former maintenance supervisor James Deimer, have gone to jail. Deimer stole about $440,000 worth of school property for resale.
He has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Williams has received other improper cash advances or reimbursements. Several years ago, she received an advance of about $2,000 for a workshop that she didn’t attend, and she did not repay the money for more than a year, until it was discovered and made public.
The school board has stopped paying expenses in advance.
The audit committee expressed concern over mileage reimbursements of $2,030 for 100 trips, 58 miles each, from board president Tim Clark’s home to the central office and back between February and December 2009.
Tatum was paid $1,447 in mileage between July 2007 and September 2009. Williams billed the district and was paid $339.
Board members Vasquez, Sawyer, Charlie Wood and Danny Gilliland apparently asked for no reimbursement.
Leader senior reporter John Hofheimer contributed to this article.
Leader executive editor
The state Legislative Audit Committee had another showdown with the Pulaski County Special School District Board on Friday and warned the board to straighten out its finances.
More checks and balances are being put in place under new Superintendent Charles Hopson to eliminate improper reimbursements to board members and others.
School board member Bill Vasquez of Jacksonville said the audit committee was exaggerating problems in the district, which prompted Sen. Bobby Glover (D-Carlisle), the committee chairman, to say, “I don’t appreciate your criticizing the Legislative
Audit Committee for doing its job. We’ll continue to call you in and stay on top of it.”
The committee told the board to return for the next audit meeting in December and threatened to subpoena board members who were not there on Friday.
Most of the school board attended the session, although Gwen Williams, who still owes the district for improper expenses, was not there. Board member Sandra Sawyer was also absent.
The meeting was called to review what steps had been taken to improve the district’s financial practices after an audit in June revealed several abuses.
“I don’t think they have theiract together,” said Sen. John Paul Capps (D-Searcy).
But Hopson, who became superintendent earlier this year, said after the meeting, “This is a wakeup call for the district to be more accountable and govern itself more efficiently.”
“We’re working aggressively to put controls in place and tracking expenditures,” he continued. “If there had been structures in place, many of these things wouldn’t have happened because of the checks and balances we now have.”
Board member Mildred Tatum has repaid the district $2,788 for improper charges, including a ticket to a Broadway play and $321 for two nights and valet parking at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, when she attended a local conference.
Tatum lives a few miles outside Little Rock. Williams has repaid $369 in improper expenses and only owes about $150. In a separate case, she’s accused of taking a $100 bribe to help a contractor build a sidewalk at Harris Elementary School in an area she represents.
According to the audit, former Superintendent James Sharpe owes the district more than $25,000 for overpayments, including travel reimbursements and unearned sick leave.
Board expenses from July 1, 2006 to March 3, 2006 included $37,855 for travel reimbursements and $8,544 for food and catering for workshops and meetings. Board policy does not impose a limit on food purchases.
The audit found about $7,000 of that improper. When it met in May, the Legislative Audit Committee discussed having the state take over the district for financial malfeasance and incompetence, and in June, it decided to audit the PCSSD annually.
In May, the auditors said more than half a million dollars had been stolen or misappropriated over the past six years.
Some employees, including former maintenance supervisor James Deimer, have gone to jail. Deimer stole about $440,000 worth of school property for resale.
He has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Williams has received other improper cash advances or reimbursements. Several years ago, she received an advance of about $2,000 for a workshop that she didn’t attend, and she did not repay the money for more than a year, until it was discovered and made public.
The school board has stopped paying expenses in advance.
The audit committee expressed concern over mileage reimbursements of $2,030 for 100 trips, 58 miles each, from board president Tim Clark’s home to the central office and back between February and December 2009.
Tatum was paid $1,447 in mileage between July 2007 and September 2009. Williams billed the district and was paid $339.
Board members Vasquez, Sawyer, Charlie Wood and Danny Gilliland apparently asked for no reimbursement.
Leader senior reporter John Hofheimer contributed to this article.
TOP STORY >> Arnold Drive one of best in Arkansas
IN SHORT: Elementary school on base is tied for third place for achievement.
By Rick Kron
Leader staff writer
For the second year in a row, Arnold Drive Elementary on Little Rock Air Force Base has been named one of the top schools in the state by the University of Arkansas.
It was the only school in the Pulaski County Special School District to make the list. Only one Little Rock school was on the high-performing list and none from North Little Rock.
“We’re ecstatic. We have such a professional team of educatiors. We have strong parental support and also from Air Force personnel. All that goes to make an outstanding learning community,” principal Julie Davenport said after learning of her school’s high ranking.
Cabot had two schools on the top 20 list of elementary schools and Searcy had two on the middle school list.
Arnold Drive actually finished in a six-way tie for third place with 95 percent of its students scoring proficient or advanced in both the 2009-2010 math and literacy benchmark scores.
The U.S. Education Department this week named Arnold Drive a Blue Ribbon school for academic excellence, one of only four schools Arkansas to get the award.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan will present the award in November in Washington.
Arnold Drive Elementary has about 250 students and about half are on free or reduced lunch. The average percentage of students on free or reduced lunch on the top 20 list is 32 percent.
So Arnold Drive is scoring well with a higher number of students on free or reduced lunch being instructed in a school that was built more than 40 years ago as a temporary facility.
The website Schooldigger.com gives Arnold Drive a five-star rating, placing it 16th among the state’s 457 elementary schools, but the same website give PCSSD just one star and ranks it 172nd out of 236 state school districts.
Cabot had two elementary schools in the top 20, Magness Creek Elementary, which was also on the list the year before, and Stagecoach Elementary.
Magness Creek was listed as 17th on the list, but was actually in a three-way tie for fifth best as 93 percent of its students were proficient or advanced on both math and literacy exams.
Stagecoach, with 92 percent of its student scoring proficient or advanced, made the list for the first time at number 20, but was actually in a two-way tie for sixth.
The ranking is done by the university’s office for education policy, which annually reviews all the scoring data from the state’s schools.
Looking at just the math benchmark scores, Arnold Drive Elementary was third in the state with 97 percent of its students scoring above the cut-off.
Stagecoach was listed 16th on the list, looking at only the math scores. With 96 percent of its students scoring proficient or advanced, it was actually in an 11-way tie for fourth.
In ranking elementary schools strictly by their performance on the literacy benchmark exams, the university listed Arnold Drive as 18th on the list of top-20 schools. But with 92 percent of its students reading at or above grade level, the school was actually in a six-way tie for sixth.
Cabot Middle School placed 20th on the list of high-performing schools based on math scores only. With 86 percent of its students making the cut, the school was actually in 10th place.
Searcy had two schools make the top-20 list of high performing middle schools.
Southwest Middle School was listed as 10th best in the state, but was actually in a two-way tie for fifth place as 89 percent of its students were proficient or advanced on both the math and literacy benchmark tests. The school was also on the top-performing list last year.
Ahlf Junior High broke into the list at number 20, in a four-way tie for eighth place with 86 percent of its students proficient or advanced.
Searcy’s Southwest Middle School was listed at number 15 and with 88 percent of its students proficient or advanced, was in a four-way tie for eighth place.
Southwest, along with Ahlf Junior High, finished fourth and fifth on the list of top schools based only on literacy scores. At both schools, 90 percent of the students scored proficient or better, putting the schools in a four-way tie for second.
The university’s research showed that most of the top elementary schools came from central Arkansas, while most of the top middle schools came from northwest Arkansas, five of them from the Bentonville School District.
By Rick Kron
Leader staff writer
For the second year in a row, Arnold Drive Elementary on Little Rock Air Force Base has been named one of the top schools in the state by the University of Arkansas.
It was the only school in the Pulaski County Special School District to make the list. Only one Little Rock school was on the high-performing list and none from North Little Rock.
“We’re ecstatic. We have such a professional team of educatiors. We have strong parental support and also from Air Force personnel. All that goes to make an outstanding learning community,” principal Julie Davenport said after learning of her school’s high ranking.
Cabot had two schools on the top 20 list of elementary schools and Searcy had two on the middle school list.
Arnold Drive actually finished in a six-way tie for third place with 95 percent of its students scoring proficient or advanced in both the 2009-2010 math and literacy benchmark scores.
The U.S. Education Department this week named Arnold Drive a Blue Ribbon school for academic excellence, one of only four schools Arkansas to get the award.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan will present the award in November in Washington.
Arnold Drive Elementary has about 250 students and about half are on free or reduced lunch. The average percentage of students on free or reduced lunch on the top 20 list is 32 percent.
So Arnold Drive is scoring well with a higher number of students on free or reduced lunch being instructed in a school that was built more than 40 years ago as a temporary facility.
The website Schooldigger.com gives Arnold Drive a five-star rating, placing it 16th among the state’s 457 elementary schools, but the same website give PCSSD just one star and ranks it 172nd out of 236 state school districts.
Cabot had two elementary schools in the top 20, Magness Creek Elementary, which was also on the list the year before, and Stagecoach Elementary.
Magness Creek was listed as 17th on the list, but was actually in a three-way tie for fifth best as 93 percent of its students were proficient or advanced on both math and literacy exams.
Stagecoach, with 92 percent of its student scoring proficient or advanced, made the list for the first time at number 20, but was actually in a two-way tie for sixth.
The ranking is done by the university’s office for education policy, which annually reviews all the scoring data from the state’s schools.
Looking at just the math benchmark scores, Arnold Drive Elementary was third in the state with 97 percent of its students scoring above the cut-off.
Stagecoach was listed 16th on the list, looking at only the math scores. With 96 percent of its students scoring proficient or advanced, it was actually in an 11-way tie for fourth.
In ranking elementary schools strictly by their performance on the literacy benchmark exams, the university listed Arnold Drive as 18th on the list of top-20 schools. But with 92 percent of its students reading at or above grade level, the school was actually in a six-way tie for sixth.
Cabot Middle School placed 20th on the list of high-performing schools based on math scores only. With 86 percent of its students making the cut, the school was actually in 10th place.
Searcy had two schools make the top-20 list of high performing middle schools.
Southwest Middle School was listed as 10th best in the state, but was actually in a two-way tie for fifth place as 89 percent of its students were proficient or advanced on both the math and literacy benchmark tests. The school was also on the top-performing list last year.
Ahlf Junior High broke into the list at number 20, in a four-way tie for eighth place with 86 percent of its students proficient or advanced.
Searcy’s Southwest Middle School was listed at number 15 and with 88 percent of its students proficient or advanced, was in a four-way tie for eighth place.
Southwest, along with Ahlf Junior High, finished fourth and fifth on the list of top schools based only on literacy scores. At both schools, 90 percent of the students scored proficient or better, putting the schools in a four-way tie for second.
The university’s research showed that most of the top elementary schools came from central Arkansas, while most of the top middle schools came from northwest Arkansas, five of them from the Bentonville School District.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
SPORTS>>Sylvan Hills puts focus on miscues
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Sylvan Hills and Little Rock Christian Academy are two teams ready to forget about opening week.
The Bears opened their season with a 42-14 loss to Vilonia in a game that saw Jim Withrow’s team make multiple mistakes, some of them while trying to accomplish the most basic fundamentals.
The Warriors fared even worse, taking a 48-6 beating at the hands of Pulaski Oak Grove.
But one team will feel at least a little better when the Bears and Warriors face each other at Warrior Field in Little Rock on Friday.
“We both ran into really good football teams,” Withrow said. “They’ve got a bunch of guys that didn’t play a lot last year. I think we’re two very similar teams.”
The adage that one player can make a difference is especially true for Little Rock Christian after the Warriors lost running back Michael Dyer to graduation.
Dyer, now at Auburn, broke the state career rushing record with 8,907 yards and was one of the most heavily recruited players in Arkansas. He also helped the Warriors reach the second round of the 5A state playoffs.
The Warriors appear to be searching for an identity with Dyer gone.
“I think there’s some truth to it,” Withrow said. “When you lose a player of his caliber, there’s going to be some growing pains.
They knew that day was coming, and they have a good coaching staff, so whatever niche they may have, I’m sure they will to find it.”
Dyer had the highest profile in a class of high-profile Warriors players last year. The group included tight end Dakota Mosely, who also went to Auburn, and quarterback Jesse Stone, who is at Arkansas Tech.
In all, second-year coach Justin Kramer had to replace nine offensive starters and eight on defense.
The Bears and Warriors are similar from an experience standpoint, but both teams differ in their philosophies.
“I think they’re going to want to get in there and pass it a lot; we’re going to run it quite a bit,” Withrow said. “We like our offensive line, but they have solid route runners, and that can pose some problems for us, especially with some of their formations. I think it’s going to come down to turnovers.”
Vilonia scored on every first-half drive last week as they opened the Arkansas High School Kickoff Classic. But the Bears showed improvement in the second half with a goal-line stand and two forced turnovers.
But it was penalties that hurt Sylvan Hills as much as anything. The Bears were flagged 10 times for 74 yards, which included three penalties on a single punt attempt.
“A lot of that was correctable stuff, so that’s encouraging,” Withrow said. “I think we talked about it, went over it, and the kids understood.
“A lot of it was nerves. Hopefully we get that stuff corrected and move on. Watching a lot of tape has helped us see it.”
Withrow said the running game will be a staple of the Bears’ offense, but he was also pleased with the passing game in last week’s opener and the potential for receivers Nate Clark and Anthony Featherstone to become difference makers. Withrow also hopes that difference-making ability will transfer to the other side of the ball for the two-way players.
“We’ve got athletes back there,” Withrow said. “Whether they make plays or not, I don’t know. The thing is, a lot of those offensive playmakers back there, they need to make plays on the defensive side also. We’re getting better at defending the pass; we just need to get a lot better.
“It could go either way. If we keep them in front of us and make them go on long drives, that will be to our benefit. If we start giving up big plays, we could be in trouble.”
Leader sportswriter
Sylvan Hills and Little Rock Christian Academy are two teams ready to forget about opening week.
The Bears opened their season with a 42-14 loss to Vilonia in a game that saw Jim Withrow’s team make multiple mistakes, some of them while trying to accomplish the most basic fundamentals.
The Warriors fared even worse, taking a 48-6 beating at the hands of Pulaski Oak Grove.
But one team will feel at least a little better when the Bears and Warriors face each other at Warrior Field in Little Rock on Friday.
“We both ran into really good football teams,” Withrow said. “They’ve got a bunch of guys that didn’t play a lot last year. I think we’re two very similar teams.”
The adage that one player can make a difference is especially true for Little Rock Christian after the Warriors lost running back Michael Dyer to graduation.
Dyer, now at Auburn, broke the state career rushing record with 8,907 yards and was one of the most heavily recruited players in Arkansas. He also helped the Warriors reach the second round of the 5A state playoffs.
The Warriors appear to be searching for an identity with Dyer gone.
“I think there’s some truth to it,” Withrow said. “When you lose a player of his caliber, there’s going to be some growing pains.
They knew that day was coming, and they have a good coaching staff, so whatever niche they may have, I’m sure they will to find it.”
Dyer had the highest profile in a class of high-profile Warriors players last year. The group included tight end Dakota Mosely, who also went to Auburn, and quarterback Jesse Stone, who is at Arkansas Tech.
In all, second-year coach Justin Kramer had to replace nine offensive starters and eight on defense.
The Bears and Warriors are similar from an experience standpoint, but both teams differ in their philosophies.
“I think they’re going to want to get in there and pass it a lot; we’re going to run it quite a bit,” Withrow said. “We like our offensive line, but they have solid route runners, and that can pose some problems for us, especially with some of their formations. I think it’s going to come down to turnovers.”
Vilonia scored on every first-half drive last week as they opened the Arkansas High School Kickoff Classic. But the Bears showed improvement in the second half with a goal-line stand and two forced turnovers.
But it was penalties that hurt Sylvan Hills as much as anything. The Bears were flagged 10 times for 74 yards, which included three penalties on a single punt attempt.
“A lot of that was correctable stuff, so that’s encouraging,” Withrow said. “I think we talked about it, went over it, and the kids understood.
“A lot of it was nerves. Hopefully we get that stuff corrected and move on. Watching a lot of tape has helped us see it.”
Withrow said the running game will be a staple of the Bears’ offense, but he was also pleased with the passing game in last week’s opener and the potential for receivers Nate Clark and Anthony Featherstone to become difference makers. Withrow also hopes that difference-making ability will transfer to the other side of the ball for the two-way players.
“We’ve got athletes back there,” Withrow said. “Whether they make plays or not, I don’t know. The thing is, a lot of those offensive playmakers back there, they need to make plays on the defensive side also. We’re getting better at defending the pass; we just need to get a lot better.
“It could go either way. If we keep them in front of us and make them go on long drives, that will be to our benefit. If we start giving up big plays, we could be in trouble.”
SPORTS>>Jacksonville digs in to ground Benton
By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
Jacksonville doesn’t have a quarterback controversy.
The Red Devils may play two quarterbacks at Benton on Friday, but there is nothing controversial about it.
Logan Perry started in the 28-14 loss to Cabot in the Arkansas High School Kickoff Classic on Aug. 31, but Tirrell Brown finished.
While coach Rick Russell said both could play at Benton, he isn’t necessarily leaning toward a two-quarterback rotation.
“Logan is still our starter; we were real proud of what he did,” Russell said.
Perry was 12 of 19 passing for 127 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Brown replaced him late in the game and went 2 for 6 for 109 yards, a touchdown and one interception.
Most of Brown’s passing yardage came on Jamison Williams’ 91-yard catch and run for the last touchdown of the game with 6:03 left.
“He did a good job when Logan was hurt in the summer,” Russell said of Brown. “He managed the game well for us and he got in and did a good job for us.”
The decision as to which quarterback plays when, or at all, will come from offensive coordinator Barry Hickingbotham, Russell said. But the head coach is secure no matter which player gets into the game on Friday night.
What is of greater concern is Benton’s passing game. After trying to handle Cabot’s run-oriented Dead T, with its multiple fakes and options, Jacksonville’s defense must now adjust to the Spread.
Russell said that means his secondary has to switch gears away from run-support mode into pass coverage.
“We get every one of their passing plays at least five or six times in the course of two and a half practices,” Russell said of the Red Devils’ pass skeleton. “We go over coverages and let them see it over and over and over.”
Benton won just one game last year, was shut out twice and never scored more than 14 points. Bryant beat Benton 45-9 in the “Salt Bowl” on Friday.
Nonetheless, Russell said, preparing to defend Benton after facing Cabot was something like a 180-degree shift. And just because Benton uses the Spread, it doesn’t mean it won’t run out of the formation, it will just be running with a different look than Cabot.
“That’s a tough game to play,” Russell said. “Play after play after play. You’ve got to get back into those multiple set offenses and you’ve got to be able to stop the run when they’re in the running formation and stop the pass when they get ready to throw it.”
Russell, the Red Devils’ long-time defensive coordinator who returned to the program after a year as North Pulaski’s head coach, was pleased that his defense forced four fumbles in the first game and recovered two.
Both fumble recoveries led to scores.
“I was reading in the paper that all teams, pee wee all the up to the professionals, they talk about that turnover ratio,” Russell said. “It’s amazing how the wins coincided with who has the most turnovers.”
Unfortunately, Jacksonville finished the Cabot game at minus one in turnovers thanks to the three interceptions. This week he is hoping the Red Devils pick off a few passes instead of throwing the ball to the other side.
“The speed of the game is going to be different,” Russell said. “They’re going to put some good receivers out there.”
Leader sports editor
Jacksonville doesn’t have a quarterback controversy.
The Red Devils may play two quarterbacks at Benton on Friday, but there is nothing controversial about it.
Logan Perry started in the 28-14 loss to Cabot in the Arkansas High School Kickoff Classic on Aug. 31, but Tirrell Brown finished.
While coach Rick Russell said both could play at Benton, he isn’t necessarily leaning toward a two-quarterback rotation.
“Logan is still our starter; we were real proud of what he did,” Russell said.
Perry was 12 of 19 passing for 127 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Brown replaced him late in the game and went 2 for 6 for 109 yards, a touchdown and one interception.
Most of Brown’s passing yardage came on Jamison Williams’ 91-yard catch and run for the last touchdown of the game with 6:03 left.
“He did a good job when Logan was hurt in the summer,” Russell said of Brown. “He managed the game well for us and he got in and did a good job for us.”
The decision as to which quarterback plays when, or at all, will come from offensive coordinator Barry Hickingbotham, Russell said. But the head coach is secure no matter which player gets into the game on Friday night.
What is of greater concern is Benton’s passing game. After trying to handle Cabot’s run-oriented Dead T, with its multiple fakes and options, Jacksonville’s defense must now adjust to the Spread.
Russell said that means his secondary has to switch gears away from run-support mode into pass coverage.
“We get every one of their passing plays at least five or six times in the course of two and a half practices,” Russell said of the Red Devils’ pass skeleton. “We go over coverages and let them see it over and over and over.”
Benton won just one game last year, was shut out twice and never scored more than 14 points. Bryant beat Benton 45-9 in the “Salt Bowl” on Friday.
Nonetheless, Russell said, preparing to defend Benton after facing Cabot was something like a 180-degree shift. And just because Benton uses the Spread, it doesn’t mean it won’t run out of the formation, it will just be running with a different look than Cabot.
“That’s a tough game to play,” Russell said. “Play after play after play. You’ve got to get back into those multiple set offenses and you’ve got to be able to stop the run when they’re in the running formation and stop the pass when they get ready to throw it.”
Russell, the Red Devils’ long-time defensive coordinator who returned to the program after a year as North Pulaski’s head coach, was pleased that his defense forced four fumbles in the first game and recovered two.
Both fumble recoveries led to scores.
“I was reading in the paper that all teams, pee wee all the up to the professionals, they talk about that turnover ratio,” Russell said. “It’s amazing how the wins coincided with who has the most turnovers.”
Unfortunately, Jacksonville finished the Cabot game at minus one in turnovers thanks to the three interceptions. This week he is hoping the Red Devils pick off a few passes instead of throwing the ball to the other side.
“The speed of the game is going to be different,” Russell said. “They’re going to put some good receivers out there.”
SPORTS>>Regrouping Falcons get set to face Hornets
By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
It might not have been an altogether enjoyable experience for North Pulaski, but it was experience nonetheless.
Searcy beat North Pulaski 56-0 in coach Terrod Hatcher’s debut, and while it was a disappointing start, Hatcher at least had something to build on entering this week’s preparation for Pulaski Oak Grove.
“You get to see your personnel and see what changes you need to make,” Hatcher said. “It’s getting these guys experience.
Friday we started six sophomores, that says a lot about the talent on the team.”
Searcy quarterback Dezmond Stegall passed for 214 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for close to 100 yards while Lions receiver B.J. Slaughter caught two touchdown passes, grabbed two interceptions and returned a punt for a score.
Jacob Mowrer added two, second-half touchdown catches for Searcy.
Hatcher said the Lions’ big plays might have taught his youthful team something about playing assignment football.
“We’ve got to follow assignments, that’s what it boils down to,” Hatcher said. “Everybody has to understand they’ve got a specific job and if everybody had followed their job, that score would have been totally different.”
North Pulaski suffered four interceptions and two other turnovers. With the offense struggling, the defense was frequently forced to defend a short field and gave up a touchdown early in the second half on fourth and 11.
North Pulaski is a member of the 5A-Southeast Conference and was playing 7A/6A-East member Searcy, but Hatcher wasn’t looking for any excuses after playing a team from a higher classification.
“Don’t get me wrong. We played an excellent team in Searcy,” Hatcher said. “They’re a good team. I didn’t get to pick that schedule. You get the hand you’re dealt.”
Besides, Hatcher said, just getting on the field and playing a game was good for the Falcons, regardless of Friday’s outcome.
“Of course, after experience you start to play better and you start trusting yourself,” Hatcher said and admitted he had anticipated a few mistakes in the opener. “It’s expected but it’s not acceptable.”
Hatcher said the Falcons got back to work Monday, and he felt the team’s attitude and outlook were good despite the loss.
“They’re disappointed in themselves and they’re excited about getting back out there,” Hatcher said.
And there were bright spots for the Falcons. Hatcher singled out rover Nick Dunn, who forced one fumble and recovered another.
“He did exactly what as he was told,” Hatcher said. “He did his position and it showed.”
Hatcher said Dunn stands as an example to the rest of his team of what it means to stick to an assignment, and he said Dunn brought his practice performance to game night.
“He performed in practice excellent,” said Hatcher, North Pulaski’s offensive coordinator last season. “He didn’t perform last year as he did in practice. I made a personal challenge to him.”
Oak Grove is coming off a resounding, 48-6 victory over Little Rock Christian, which is also on North Pulaski’s schedule on Sept. 17.
Little Rock Christian may be down a bit after graduating Arkansas’ all-time high school career rushing leader Michael Dyer, now at Auburn. However that didn’t stop Hatcher from being impressed by Oak Grove, led by dual-threat quarterback Trooper Tolbert.
“Truthfully, I think they’re better than Searcy,” Hatcher said. “They have some extremely good athletes. They’re athletic; they’re huge.
“It’s just a point of slowing them down. I don’t think you can stop that offense. They have some great backs. If they get outside you might as well call it a day, they’re gone. They have an excellent quarterback. He can run; he can throw.”
Hatcher admitted he inherited a tough non-conference schedule when he was named head coach at the start of preseason. But he feels the stretch should make the Falcons better in time for the conference opener at West Helena on Sept. 24.
“We’re going to survive and get through it,” Hatcher said.
Leader sports editor
It might not have been an altogether enjoyable experience for North Pulaski, but it was experience nonetheless.
Searcy beat North Pulaski 56-0 in coach Terrod Hatcher’s debut, and while it was a disappointing start, Hatcher at least had something to build on entering this week’s preparation for Pulaski Oak Grove.
“You get to see your personnel and see what changes you need to make,” Hatcher said. “It’s getting these guys experience.
Friday we started six sophomores, that says a lot about the talent on the team.”
Searcy quarterback Dezmond Stegall passed for 214 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for close to 100 yards while Lions receiver B.J. Slaughter caught two touchdown passes, grabbed two interceptions and returned a punt for a score.
Jacob Mowrer added two, second-half touchdown catches for Searcy.
Hatcher said the Lions’ big plays might have taught his youthful team something about playing assignment football.
“We’ve got to follow assignments, that’s what it boils down to,” Hatcher said. “Everybody has to understand they’ve got a specific job and if everybody had followed their job, that score would have been totally different.”
North Pulaski suffered four interceptions and two other turnovers. With the offense struggling, the defense was frequently forced to defend a short field and gave up a touchdown early in the second half on fourth and 11.
North Pulaski is a member of the 5A-Southeast Conference and was playing 7A/6A-East member Searcy, but Hatcher wasn’t looking for any excuses after playing a team from a higher classification.
“Don’t get me wrong. We played an excellent team in Searcy,” Hatcher said. “They’re a good team. I didn’t get to pick that schedule. You get the hand you’re dealt.”
Besides, Hatcher said, just getting on the field and playing a game was good for the Falcons, regardless of Friday’s outcome.
“Of course, after experience you start to play better and you start trusting yourself,” Hatcher said and admitted he had anticipated a few mistakes in the opener. “It’s expected but it’s not acceptable.”
Hatcher said the Falcons got back to work Monday, and he felt the team’s attitude and outlook were good despite the loss.
“They’re disappointed in themselves and they’re excited about getting back out there,” Hatcher said.
And there were bright spots for the Falcons. Hatcher singled out rover Nick Dunn, who forced one fumble and recovered another.
“He did exactly what as he was told,” Hatcher said. “He did his position and it showed.”
Hatcher said Dunn stands as an example to the rest of his team of what it means to stick to an assignment, and he said Dunn brought his practice performance to game night.
“He performed in practice excellent,” said Hatcher, North Pulaski’s offensive coordinator last season. “He didn’t perform last year as he did in practice. I made a personal challenge to him.”
Oak Grove is coming off a resounding, 48-6 victory over Little Rock Christian, which is also on North Pulaski’s schedule on Sept. 17.
Little Rock Christian may be down a bit after graduating Arkansas’ all-time high school career rushing leader Michael Dyer, now at Auburn. However that didn’t stop Hatcher from being impressed by Oak Grove, led by dual-threat quarterback Trooper Tolbert.
“Truthfully, I think they’re better than Searcy,” Hatcher said. “They have some extremely good athletes. They’re athletic; they’re huge.
“It’s just a point of slowing them down. I don’t think you can stop that offense. They have some great backs. If they get outside you might as well call it a day, they’re gone. They have an excellent quarterback. He can run; he can throw.”
Hatcher admitted he inherited a tough non-conference schedule when he was named head coach at the start of preseason. But he feels the stretch should make the Falcons better in time for the conference opener at West Helena on Sept. 24.
“We’re going to survive and get through it,” Hatcher said.
SPORTS>>Lonoke is busing for battle at Beebe
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The battle for Highway 31 supremacy between Lonoke and Beebe is an annual fight to the finish.
And finishing is what concerns both coaches as they head into Friday’s game. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Bro Erwin Field in Beebe.
Lonoke coach Doug Bost is concerned with how the Jackrabbits’ defense will respond to a grinding rushing attack late in the game while Badgers coach John Shannon wants to see his offense close out promising drives more consistently.
Greenbrier beat Beebe 39-13 last week, getting two scores after Beebe drives stalled for a 28-point swing that made the game appear less competitive.
“You convert just half of those opportunities we had, and it’s a different ballgame,” Shannon said. “The first game of the season, you expect a lot of mistakes, and some of those mistakes cost us.”
Lonoke upset Star City in Pine Bluff on Aug. 30, but not before a fourth-quarter Bulldogs rally almost overcame the Jackrabbits’ 19-point lead. Star City scored 18 straight points on the ’Rabbits’ winded defense before Lonoke clinched it with a long running play.
“They started out early passing, and then in the second half, they run it right at us,” Bost said as he critiqued his defensive front.
“Of those front seven on defense, there’s only two guys with a lot of experience. Some of those guys are going to have to step up.”
Bost hopes his defensive linemen step up sooner rather than later with the short road trip to Beebe coming up Friday. Last year the Jackrabbits ended a four-year losing streak to a young Beebe team that was smaller on the offensive line.
“It seems like it always comes down to the fourth quarter with us, and it wasn’t any different last year,” Bost said. “Shannon does a good job, you know, smash-mouth style football — you know what’s coming at you. It’s going to be close. Our defense will get tested this week.”
Beebe’s loss to Lonoke last year was part of a trying 3-7 season that came after the Badgers reached the playoffs the previous two seasons thanks in part to victories over their nearby rivals.
Shannon said he was not as worried about Lonoke’s defensive line as he was his offense’s ability to finish drives.
“Our defense gave up points last week, but a lot of that was our offense putting us in a bind by not finishing,” Shannon said.
“We told the kids on Saturday morning that it was time to go back to work. Hopefully, it will be a different turnout.”
The Badgers moved the ball consistently against Greenbrier but struggled to get into the end zone. Scot Gowen overthrew a sure touchdown pass and another drive went 15 plays but stalled at the Greenbrier 1-yard line.
“I feel like we can move the ball against anyone we play,” Shannon said. “My concern is finishing the drive. We had one drive last week where we came up a yard short.
“Yeah, we want to take time off the clock and keep them off the field, but it doesn’t do any good if you don’t score.”
Beebe senior fullback Colby Taylor, 6-0, 160, caught Bost’s attention on film, but it was Gowen’s abilities on the ground and through the air that has him most concerned.
“It’s the same stuff they’ve been doing since he got there,” Bost said. “That No. 4, Colby Taylor, of course he’s their best runner and the fastest. He can go if he breaks a long one on you, but that number 12 at quarterback, if he gets out of the pocket, he can run it on you or pass it on the run. He’s definitely a dual threat.”
Bost blamed some of last week’s fourth-quarter defensive woes on the 5:30 p.m. kickoff in the late-afternoon heat, but he is rotating his defensive linemen more frequently. Bost was pleased with the work of senior Antwane Wilkerson and juniors Brendon Ellington and Darin Lovelace.
“Statistically, no, there’s not going to be big numbers there,” Bost said. “But I was real pleased with how they freed things up for the linebackers to make plays. They’re going to have to step up again this week against a team that’s coming right at you.”
Leader sportswriter
The battle for Highway 31 supremacy between Lonoke and Beebe is an annual fight to the finish.
And finishing is what concerns both coaches as they head into Friday’s game. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Bro Erwin Field in Beebe.
Lonoke coach Doug Bost is concerned with how the Jackrabbits’ defense will respond to a grinding rushing attack late in the game while Badgers coach John Shannon wants to see his offense close out promising drives more consistently.
Greenbrier beat Beebe 39-13 last week, getting two scores after Beebe drives stalled for a 28-point swing that made the game appear less competitive.
“You convert just half of those opportunities we had, and it’s a different ballgame,” Shannon said. “The first game of the season, you expect a lot of mistakes, and some of those mistakes cost us.”
Lonoke upset Star City in Pine Bluff on Aug. 30, but not before a fourth-quarter Bulldogs rally almost overcame the Jackrabbits’ 19-point lead. Star City scored 18 straight points on the ’Rabbits’ winded defense before Lonoke clinched it with a long running play.
“They started out early passing, and then in the second half, they run it right at us,” Bost said as he critiqued his defensive front.
“Of those front seven on defense, there’s only two guys with a lot of experience. Some of those guys are going to have to step up.”
Bost hopes his defensive linemen step up sooner rather than later with the short road trip to Beebe coming up Friday. Last year the Jackrabbits ended a four-year losing streak to a young Beebe team that was smaller on the offensive line.
“It seems like it always comes down to the fourth quarter with us, and it wasn’t any different last year,” Bost said. “Shannon does a good job, you know, smash-mouth style football — you know what’s coming at you. It’s going to be close. Our defense will get tested this week.”
Beebe’s loss to Lonoke last year was part of a trying 3-7 season that came after the Badgers reached the playoffs the previous two seasons thanks in part to victories over their nearby rivals.
Shannon said he was not as worried about Lonoke’s defensive line as he was his offense’s ability to finish drives.
“Our defense gave up points last week, but a lot of that was our offense putting us in a bind by not finishing,” Shannon said.
“We told the kids on Saturday morning that it was time to go back to work. Hopefully, it will be a different turnout.”
The Badgers moved the ball consistently against Greenbrier but struggled to get into the end zone. Scot Gowen overthrew a sure touchdown pass and another drive went 15 plays but stalled at the Greenbrier 1-yard line.
“I feel like we can move the ball against anyone we play,” Shannon said. “My concern is finishing the drive. We had one drive last week where we came up a yard short.
“Yeah, we want to take time off the clock and keep them off the field, but it doesn’t do any good if you don’t score.”
Beebe senior fullback Colby Taylor, 6-0, 160, caught Bost’s attention on film, but it was Gowen’s abilities on the ground and through the air that has him most concerned.
“It’s the same stuff they’ve been doing since he got there,” Bost said. “That No. 4, Colby Taylor, of course he’s their best runner and the fastest. He can go if he breaks a long one on you, but that number 12 at quarterback, if he gets out of the pocket, he can run it on you or pass it on the run. He’s definitely a dual threat.”
Bost blamed some of last week’s fourth-quarter defensive woes on the 5:30 p.m. kickoff in the late-afternoon heat, but he is rotating his defensive linemen more frequently. Bost was pleased with the work of senior Antwane Wilkerson and juniors Brendon Ellington and Darin Lovelace.
“Statistically, no, there’s not going to be big numbers there,” Bost said. “But I was real pleased with how they freed things up for the linebackers to make plays. They’re going to have to step up again this week against a team that’s coming right at you.”
SPORTS>>Cabot not passing on PA preparation
By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
Why does a running team like Cabot even bother competing in summer 7-on-7 football?
The answer is this week’s opponent, Pulaski Academy.
While Cabot doesn’t pass much out of its Dead-T formation, the Panthers play the summer game to get their defensive backs ready for teams that do. That includes Pulaski Academy, which beat Central Arkansas Christian 59-33 at War Memorial Stadium last week.
“That’s why we do it,” Cabot coach Mike Malham said. “To get the D-backs against somebody throwing the ball and trying to get some good coverage. Maybe they can complete a few to us too.”
Cabot is coming off its 28-14 victory over neighbor and rival Jacksonville in the Arkansas High School Kickoff Classic at War Memorial. Pulaski Academy and Central Arkansas Christian were part of that four-game lineup, but Malham already knew without having to watch that the Bruins can be a handful with their multiple receiver sets.
“They’ve been high profile for the last decade,” Malham said. “They’ve done well. I can’t ever remember them not doing well in the playoffs. They’ve won a couple state championships and they’ve got a chance this year.”
Pulaski Academy, the 2008 state champion, made national news last year because coach Kevin Kelley refused to punt regardless of the down or distance.
But the Bruins didn’t face that many situations where they would even be expected to kick it away as they tied for second in the 7-4A Conference and won two playoff games before falling to Monticello.
“It’s a little tougher non-conference game than we’ve been playing in the past,” Malham said. “Hopefully it will get us ready for what we’re going to see in the conference.”
Cabot is one of the large-school teams playing in the 7A/6A-Central, but while a classification may say something about a team’s depth, it doesn’t determine talent.
“As far as athletes go, I’d say they’ve got just as many or more than we’ve got,” Malham said.
Malham pointed out Pulaski Academy’s points against CAC and noted that Springdale Har-Ber and Conway, the Panthers’ next two opponents, scored 63 and 53 points in their openers. Har-Ber eliminated Cabot from last year’s 7A state semifinals with a late touchdown pass.
“There’s no nights off, it just gets tougher as we go,” Malham said.
With that in mind, Malham is hoping the 7-on-7 experience, and whatever the Panthers’ scout team can do to simulate Pulaski Academy’s offense, will pay dividends at Pulaski Academy on Friday.
“It’s always hard to simulate the other team’s offense,” Malham said. “Because nobody is going to do it like they do because they practice it every day and you’ve got a scout team doing this and that.
“I think people have trouble trying to simulate what we’re going to do.”
At least Cabot has had a couple extra days to prepare after its Tuesday night victory over Jacksonville on Aug. 31.
“Hopefully we’ll be rested and ready to go,” Malham said. “And know what we’re doing.”
Malham was happy overall with the Panthers’ season- opening performance, with the exception of four fumbles and a 91-yard pass play late. Jacksonville recovered two of the fumbles with both leading to scores.
“The main thing I didn’t like is we gave up the big play over the top and we gave up the turnovers,” Malham said.
Malham had no issues with the way any of his 14 new starters performed, and other than the fumbles, he was happy with his offense and the play of new quarterback Zach Craig.
“I thought the 14 new starters got some game experience, which is invaluable,” Malham said. “And maybe they’ll feel a little more comfortable on Friday night.”
Leader sports editor
Why does a running team like Cabot even bother competing in summer 7-on-7 football?
The answer is this week’s opponent, Pulaski Academy.
While Cabot doesn’t pass much out of its Dead-T formation, the Panthers play the summer game to get their defensive backs ready for teams that do. That includes Pulaski Academy, which beat Central Arkansas Christian 59-33 at War Memorial Stadium last week.
“That’s why we do it,” Cabot coach Mike Malham said. “To get the D-backs against somebody throwing the ball and trying to get some good coverage. Maybe they can complete a few to us too.”
Cabot is coming off its 28-14 victory over neighbor and rival Jacksonville in the Arkansas High School Kickoff Classic at War Memorial. Pulaski Academy and Central Arkansas Christian were part of that four-game lineup, but Malham already knew without having to watch that the Bruins can be a handful with their multiple receiver sets.
“They’ve been high profile for the last decade,” Malham said. “They’ve done well. I can’t ever remember them not doing well in the playoffs. They’ve won a couple state championships and they’ve got a chance this year.”
Pulaski Academy, the 2008 state champion, made national news last year because coach Kevin Kelley refused to punt regardless of the down or distance.
But the Bruins didn’t face that many situations where they would even be expected to kick it away as they tied for second in the 7-4A Conference and won two playoff games before falling to Monticello.
“It’s a little tougher non-conference game than we’ve been playing in the past,” Malham said. “Hopefully it will get us ready for what we’re going to see in the conference.”
Cabot is one of the large-school teams playing in the 7A/6A-Central, but while a classification may say something about a team’s depth, it doesn’t determine talent.
“As far as athletes go, I’d say they’ve got just as many or more than we’ve got,” Malham said.
Malham pointed out Pulaski Academy’s points against CAC and noted that Springdale Har-Ber and Conway, the Panthers’ next two opponents, scored 63 and 53 points in their openers. Har-Ber eliminated Cabot from last year’s 7A state semifinals with a late touchdown pass.
“There’s no nights off, it just gets tougher as we go,” Malham said.
With that in mind, Malham is hoping the 7-on-7 experience, and whatever the Panthers’ scout team can do to simulate Pulaski Academy’s offense, will pay dividends at Pulaski Academy on Friday.
“It’s always hard to simulate the other team’s offense,” Malham said. “Because nobody is going to do it like they do because they practice it every day and you’ve got a scout team doing this and that.
“I think people have trouble trying to simulate what we’re going to do.”
At least Cabot has had a couple extra days to prepare after its Tuesday night victory over Jacksonville on Aug. 31.
“Hopefully we’ll be rested and ready to go,” Malham said. “And know what we’re doing.”
Malham was happy overall with the Panthers’ season- opening performance, with the exception of four fumbles and a 91-yard pass play late. Jacksonville recovered two of the fumbles with both leading to scores.
“The main thing I didn’t like is we gave up the big play over the top and we gave up the turnovers,” Malham said.
Malham had no issues with the way any of his 14 new starters performed, and other than the fumbles, he was happy with his offense and the play of new quarterback Zach Craig.
“I thought the 14 new starters got some game experience, which is invaluable,” Malham said. “And maybe they’ll feel a little more comfortable on Friday night.”
EDITORIAL >>How to tax natural gas
Five years have lapsed since the beginning of the great rush to develop the vast reserves of shale gas in the hills north of us and two years since the state levied a little tax to reserve some of the vast profits from the gas for the people of Arkansas and repair the environmental and infrastructure damage the drilling rampage was causing and was sure to cause in magnifying volumes in the future.
It is time, long past time in fact, to assess the effects of state policies on the exploration of the Fayetteville shale play or, more accurately, the lack of policies. In the best of worlds, Gov. Beebe would have ordered a thorough analysis by the state environmental agency, the oil and gas regulatory agency, the state Highway Commission and the state fiscal department, Finance and Administration. Legislative interim committees, in preparation for the biennial session in January, would be devouring the data and holding hearings on the impact of the exploration and production on the region north of the Arkansas
River Valley and on the state as a whole.
None of that is happening, at least on a scale that is worth noting. The state Department of Environmental Quality and the Oil and Gas Commission want a few more employees to check on things up there, but there is no initiative to demand more accountability of the 15 or so exploration companies drilling in the shale. The state Highway and Transportation Department and county governments want the state to find some revenues somewhere to help them with the crumbling roads.
New horizontal-drilling technology opened up millions of acres where gas is trapped in deep rocks. From New York to Wyoming, the finished wells are hugely productive but the environmental cost is equally huge. It takes millions of gallons of water and chemicals to liberate the gas and they can destroy the land and sometimes the water table. “Gasland,” a documentary by a young Pennsylvania filmmaker, caused a little stir around the country and finally in Arkansas last month. The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, answering the call from a couple of the big drilling companies, urged people to boycott the film and to write letters to the editor condemning it.
That is why Gov. Beebe and the legislature haven’t done anything and aren’t likely to do anything. The shale development is supposed to bring great wealth to the state and create thousands of jobs, and no one wants to be seen as doing anything to impinge on economic development. Lord knows we need every job we can get.
But the cry from industry always is that regulation and taxes are “job killers.” It usually doesn’t translate that way, and it won’t with shale regulation and taxation either. Until recently, we never had to choose between good environmental policies and economic development. The Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act did not kill economic growth as many claimed it would but spurred it.
The Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas predicted that shale production would have a spectacular impact on the state from 2005 to 2008: $5.5 billion fed into the economy, 9,700 new jobs and $358 million of state and local tax revenues. The impact was significant but, as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette pointed out in a good survey Sunday, it fell far short of the forecasts.
A big reason was that shale development spread all across the country, production boomed, prices fell and the demand for gas slumped when the economy collapsed in 2008. But the environmental impact did not abate and production continues to rise.
The state and local governments received only a sliver of the tax revenues forecast for them. It was better than if the state had done nothing. The state had an invisible tax of three-tenths of a penny on each thousand cubic feet of gas until a former gas company executive threatened in 2008 to put an initiated act on the ballot to tax the gas at Texas’ rate, 7 percent of the wellhead price. The industry asked Governor Beebe to protect it. He called a special legislative session, where a tax largely written by industry lawyers was enacted. It taxed gas at 5 percent of value but created so many loopholes that the tax hasn’t produced much money for highways, roads and environmental regulation and cleanup.
An invigorated state pollution agency needs to devise strong and realistic standards for shale drilling, but that won’t happen without a strong governor at its back.
The revenue problem is easier, and as luck would have it, we have a modest solution.
That is to restore the severance tax rate to the level of 1947, which was 2.6 percent of value. That was when a governor with extensive family oil and gas holdings and a powerful new entrepreneur in the gas business got the legislature to virtually eliminate the tax on gas production.
A flat 2.6 percent tax would produce far more than the riddled 5 percent tax and it still would be about the lowest tax rate in America. It could be passed with a simple majority in the legislature, too. Beebe moved heaven and earth two years ago to get three-fourths of the legislature to pass a phantom tax rate that the industry wanted. A real solution for the people, restoring the post-World War II rate, would have been a cakewalk. What is he waiting for?
It is time, long past time in fact, to assess the effects of state policies on the exploration of the Fayetteville shale play or, more accurately, the lack of policies. In the best of worlds, Gov. Beebe would have ordered a thorough analysis by the state environmental agency, the oil and gas regulatory agency, the state Highway Commission and the state fiscal department, Finance and Administration. Legislative interim committees, in preparation for the biennial session in January, would be devouring the data and holding hearings on the impact of the exploration and production on the region north of the Arkansas
River Valley and on the state as a whole.
None of that is happening, at least on a scale that is worth noting. The state Department of Environmental Quality and the Oil and Gas Commission want a few more employees to check on things up there, but there is no initiative to demand more accountability of the 15 or so exploration companies drilling in the shale. The state Highway and Transportation Department and county governments want the state to find some revenues somewhere to help them with the crumbling roads.
New horizontal-drilling technology opened up millions of acres where gas is trapped in deep rocks. From New York to Wyoming, the finished wells are hugely productive but the environmental cost is equally huge. It takes millions of gallons of water and chemicals to liberate the gas and they can destroy the land and sometimes the water table. “Gasland,” a documentary by a young Pennsylvania filmmaker, caused a little stir around the country and finally in Arkansas last month. The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, answering the call from a couple of the big drilling companies, urged people to boycott the film and to write letters to the editor condemning it.
That is why Gov. Beebe and the legislature haven’t done anything and aren’t likely to do anything. The shale development is supposed to bring great wealth to the state and create thousands of jobs, and no one wants to be seen as doing anything to impinge on economic development. Lord knows we need every job we can get.
But the cry from industry always is that regulation and taxes are “job killers.” It usually doesn’t translate that way, and it won’t with shale regulation and taxation either. Until recently, we never had to choose between good environmental policies and economic development. The Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act did not kill economic growth as many claimed it would but spurred it.
The Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas predicted that shale production would have a spectacular impact on the state from 2005 to 2008: $5.5 billion fed into the economy, 9,700 new jobs and $358 million of state and local tax revenues. The impact was significant but, as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette pointed out in a good survey Sunday, it fell far short of the forecasts.
A big reason was that shale development spread all across the country, production boomed, prices fell and the demand for gas slumped when the economy collapsed in 2008. But the environmental impact did not abate and production continues to rise.
The state and local governments received only a sliver of the tax revenues forecast for them. It was better than if the state had done nothing. The state had an invisible tax of three-tenths of a penny on each thousand cubic feet of gas until a former gas company executive threatened in 2008 to put an initiated act on the ballot to tax the gas at Texas’ rate, 7 percent of the wellhead price. The industry asked Governor Beebe to protect it. He called a special legislative session, where a tax largely written by industry lawyers was enacted. It taxed gas at 5 percent of value but created so many loopholes that the tax hasn’t produced much money for highways, roads and environmental regulation and cleanup.
An invigorated state pollution agency needs to devise strong and realistic standards for shale drilling, but that won’t happen without a strong governor at its back.
The revenue problem is easier, and as luck would have it, we have a modest solution.
That is to restore the severance tax rate to the level of 1947, which was 2.6 percent of value. That was when a governor with extensive family oil and gas holdings and a powerful new entrepreneur in the gas business got the legislature to virtually eliminate the tax on gas production.
A flat 2.6 percent tax would produce far more than the riddled 5 percent tax and it still would be about the lowest tax rate in America. It could be passed with a simple majority in the legislature, too. Beebe moved heaven and earth two years ago to get three-fourths of the legislature to pass a phantom tax rate that the industry wanted. A real solution for the people, restoring the post-World War II rate, would have been a cakewalk. What is he waiting for?
TOP STORY > >Cabot on upswing, PCSSD drops again
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Once again, Pulaski County Special School District’s eighth-day enrollment count has declined, although not as dramatically as in some previous years. And once again, Cabot school enrollment has increased, topping 10,300.
This year’s total in PCSSD is 16,792 students, down from last year’s 16,915. That’s a loss of 123 students.
In the Sherwood zone, Sylvan Hills Elementary de-clined from 382 students last year to 356 this year. Oakbrooke increased four students to 537. Clinton Elementary declined 11 students to 760; Sherwood Elementary had 346 students, a decline of 34;
Sylvan Hills Middle School picked up 33 students for an enrollment of 678 and Sylvan Hills High School increased 62 students for an enrollment of 833.
In Zone 5, which includes north Pulaski County and parts of Jacksonville, Cato lost 23 students, for an enrollment of 324; Arnold Drive had 245 students, an increase of 28; Bayou Meto had 363, a loss of 15 students; Dupree enrollment was 309, an increase of 15; Northwood Middle School had 571 students, down 36; Tolleson 326, a decrease of seven students, and North Pulaski High School remained the same at 805 students.
In Zone 6, the other Jackson-ville schools, enrollment edged up at Jacksonville High School, Pinewood Elementary and Taylor Elementary.
Jacksonville High School increased seven students to 941; Pinewood increased 18 to 422 and Taylor increased six to 394.
Jacksonville Middle School declined 29 students to 666 and Jacksonville Elementary School had the largest loss in the zone, 103 students to a total of 320.
Overall, zones 6, 5 and 1 lost students this year, the others gained.
Cabot’s enrollment has been on the rise since school started. It was 9,904 on the first day and 10,069 on Tuesday. Neither number included the district’s 260 pre-K students.
At this time last year, Cabot’s enrollment was 9,901, an increase of 168, which is much less than increases of previous years of 300 to 400.
Thurman said the smaller increase is what was expected considering the economy, but he added, “It’s still a good thing that people are still moving to Cabot.”
Beebe’s enrollment of 3,310 is essentially the same as last year, said Scott Embry, assistant superintendent. That number includes 95 pre-K students.
Beebe was closed for teacher training on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day when many schools see a change in enrollment, and Embry said that number might increase when students come back from the holiday.
Leader senior staff writer
Once again, Pulaski County Special School District’s eighth-day enrollment count has declined, although not as dramatically as in some previous years. And once again, Cabot school enrollment has increased, topping 10,300.
This year’s total in PCSSD is 16,792 students, down from last year’s 16,915. That’s a loss of 123 students.
In the Sherwood zone, Sylvan Hills Elementary de-clined from 382 students last year to 356 this year. Oakbrooke increased four students to 537. Clinton Elementary declined 11 students to 760; Sherwood Elementary had 346 students, a decline of 34;
Sylvan Hills Middle School picked up 33 students for an enrollment of 678 and Sylvan Hills High School increased 62 students for an enrollment of 833.
In Zone 5, which includes north Pulaski County and parts of Jacksonville, Cato lost 23 students, for an enrollment of 324; Arnold Drive had 245 students, an increase of 28; Bayou Meto had 363, a loss of 15 students; Dupree enrollment was 309, an increase of 15; Northwood Middle School had 571 students, down 36; Tolleson 326, a decrease of seven students, and North Pulaski High School remained the same at 805 students.
In Zone 6, the other Jackson-ville schools, enrollment edged up at Jacksonville High School, Pinewood Elementary and Taylor Elementary.
Jacksonville High School increased seven students to 941; Pinewood increased 18 to 422 and Taylor increased six to 394.
Jacksonville Middle School declined 29 students to 666 and Jacksonville Elementary School had the largest loss in the zone, 103 students to a total of 320.
Overall, zones 6, 5 and 1 lost students this year, the others gained.
Cabot’s enrollment has been on the rise since school started. It was 9,904 on the first day and 10,069 on Tuesday. Neither number included the district’s 260 pre-K students.
At this time last year, Cabot’s enrollment was 9,901, an increase of 168, which is much less than increases of previous years of 300 to 400.
Thurman said the smaller increase is what was expected considering the economy, but he added, “It’s still a good thing that people are still moving to Cabot.”
Beebe’s enrollment of 3,310 is essentially the same as last year, said Scott Embry, assistant superintendent. That number includes 95 pre-K students.
Beebe was closed for teacher training on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day when many schools see a change in enrollment, and Embry said that number might increase when students come back from the holiday.
TOP STORY > >Hopson defining goals to improve
Leader article by John Hofheimer
Charles Hopson must be in hog heaven. The new Pulaski County Special School District superintendent says he loves a good challenge, and does he have one now.
As a principal, Hopson’s been successful in turning around the fortunes of the Portland, Ore., highs schools and confronting problems caused by issues of race and poverty.
But now he leads a district that’s lost enrollment every year for at least a decade—a district famous for a bitterly divided school board, hired-and-fired superintendents, perpetual conflict and frequent court battles between the teachers’ union and school board, and a district seeking unitary status in federal district court. Should it succeed, it will face new budgetary challenges as millions of dollars in state “deseg money” are phased out.
Many PCSSD schools are in academic trouble. With few exceptions, its 34 schools are half-a-century old and need restoring or replacing and Jacksonville is committed to seceding and forming its own school district at the first opportunity.
There are demonstrated disparities in academic performance and discipline based upon race and/or poverty.
His first district-wide move—changing the bell schedule—stirred controversy and ended in reversal.
But other changes, already implemented at Jacksonville High School, show promise.
Hopson says he welcomes the challenges and that he’s cautiously optimistic.
He put a central office administrator, Karl Brown, director on special assignment, in the office and in the halls at Jacksonville High School.
Two weeks into the school year, “I had five people come to me and tell me that Jacksonville High School is a completely different place than last year,” Hopson said in an exclusive interview last week. “That was a structure I put in place there based on quick analysis.”
One person who has praised the change is a member of the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers. “It’s a whole different thing,” another person told him.
Hopson says that student behavior there shows significant improvement.
“We know the building has been cleaned. Teachers are focused. There’s less hanging out in the hallway, students are expressing that the environment there is more conducive to learning,” Hopson said.
“What I’m hearing is that Jacksonville High School is more controlled. The students are less disruptive and more orderly.
“I sense a turnaround. You take those small kinds of successes. That right there is enough to say there is hope.
“I have very high expectations,” Hopson said. “I doubt the district in five years will be where I want it to be, but …
it will not be where it is now.”
NEW IDEAS
Hopson’s got a whole satchel full of new ideas—one employee said the new mantra among district employees might be: “We’ve never done it like that before.”
Some are sure to be controversial and who knows how many will even be implemented:
Year-round school, changing the bell schedule, mainstreaming virtually all students and making advanced-placement classes open to all. Making teachers accountable for educating students and helping or dismissing those who don’t make the grade.
Not the least of his new ideas is transparency—open communication and making decisions publicly and with public input.
In his 100-day listening tour, he’s visiting his third school in the district, meeting with patrons and teachers so far in two ofthem. Originally slated for one-hour events, one lasted more than two hours, the other four hours.
He’s stood up to the board and met with the teachers’ union officials.
BELL SCHEDULE
But along with this apparent early success at Jacksonville, Hopson has had to retreat from his first across-the-board edict—changing the elementary school bell schedule.
He wanted to start the school day earlier, give students more instruction time and move the teacher prep time to within the school day. Parents objected to putting kids out at the bus stop so early and teachers said the change violated their contract.
The bell schedule is part of the teacher’s negotiated contract, and despite efforts by four school board members to dump the union and its contract, the board has been unable to successfully follow the law in those efforts.
Thus the union remains the teachers’ negotiating agent, the existing professionally negotiated agreement remains in effect and Hopson agreed to leave the elementary school schedule the same.
Hopson said he backed away from the so-called “bell-schedule” controversy because it was “an existing point of contention in the district with associations and strong feelings already in place.”
So for the time being, all schools will start at 7:30 a.m., even though that will require aftercare for some students at various elementary schools until parents can get by to pick them up and make different arrangements for next semester.
He said the bell schedule would be examined again in the future.
“Instruction needs to drive the beginning and end of school, not transportation limitations.
“I’m pushing my transportation people to be more creative,” he said.
For all of the district’s storied problems, “I expected a bit more turbulence than I’ve experienced,” Hopson said. “I’m pleased that what I expected is not what I experienced. This district has enormous promise.”
CORPORATE SUPERINTENDANT
Hopson said that not only is his administration based on the corporate model, he is a corporate-trained superintendent.
When he lived and worked in Portland, Nike, the shoe and athletic apparel giant, awarded a grant to his district and paid a professional corporate manager to work with administrators as mentors.
“I went to the Nike headquarters, went off campus and worked with top-level executives. My high school had a business manager, funded by Nike.
“The difference is, we are not producing widgets, we are producing students. But the focus is still on excellence and we’ll use corporate constructs to get there,” Hopson said.
Toward that end, Hopson has combined some cabinet-level positions and brought in experienced people to oversee certain areas. He’s brought in a man who managed facilities for the Air Force for decades to oversee construction, repair and maintenance of PCSSD buildings.
His chief technology officer already has saved the district tens of thousands of dollars in the purchase of new software and hardware, he said.
“We have a blend of people who are experts in their fields. We’ll have the resources and the paradigm shift,” Hopson said.
“We have two deputy superintendents focused on academic accountability,” he pointed out.
BOARD NOT MICROMANAGING
Another thing that is changed from last year is that school board president Tim Clark is no longer micromanaging the district.
Clark billed the district mileage for more than 100 trips to the district office after firing Supt. James Sharp and installing his personal choice, Rob McGill, as the interim superintendent.
“That’s not happening this year,” Hopson said.
“As instructional leader, I need to have the autonomy to move forward without their interference as policy makers.”
Hopson said the board has “showed respect for me as the instructional leader.”
With his willingness to talk and emphasis on transparency, Hopson seems to be earning grudging respect from PACT as well.
He has met with their leaders at least twice to discuss his agenda and hear their concerns, and while they are not necessarily in accord, the lines of communications are opening up, essential to building trust and a working relationship.
YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL?
Hopson has ideas that are currently out of the mainstream, such as someday going to a year-round school year and mainstreaming virtually all students and making advanced-placement classes available to them.
“We need to look at models that are not agrarian,” Hopson said. The current school year is based on the outdated time when all family members were needed to help gather the crops.
Increasingly, districts are going to the year-round school model, with perhaps one-month breaks between trimesters. Studies have shown that during summers, students lose a lot of what they’ve been taught.
This is not going to be an immediately popular notion with students, parents or teachers, all of whom have grown accustomed to about 10 weeks of summer break. If it happens, “It’s going to be uncomfortable to push past the status quo,” Hopson said.
“But we have to prepare students to be world class.”
“In my prior years working with unions in Oregon, I have been able to work collaboratively with the unions to get ineffective teachers…out of the classroom and we’ve started that same conversation here. In recent talks that I’ve had with PACT, I believe principals should be instructional leaders in the classroom, should be visible walking into those classrooms assessing effective (teaching) practices, those are some of the same expectations that they share.
“The one thing I will not compromise on is poor instruction in the classroom,” the superintendent sai.
“If I am able to gain a degree of consensus around accountability in the classroom, and also support my accountability for principals being strong instructional leaders in their schools, those two issues collectively will mean greater outcomes for our students,” Hopson said.
CULTURALLY RELEVANT TEACHING
He said he wants his principals to have “culturally relevant” teaching that takes into consideration the issues of race and poverty and not seeing those issues as excuses for why students cannot achieve at high levels but recognizing them …so that they are able to empower students as opposed to having the issues become barriers.
“Those two issues can easily become barriers for students who have tremendous promise academically, but are struggling with many of those dilemmas in the schools,” he said.
More simply put, Hopson would mainstream all students, have high expectations of them and then give them—along with their teachers—the tools they need to succeed.
“When we engage students who are underrepresented in advance placements and overrepresented in suspension and expulsions in a relevant, meaningful way by removing race and poverty as barriers and pushing them into those classes, we affirm them and gave them the confidence to succeed,” Hopson said.
He says he’s seen it work in Portland and it will work here.
“We moved students in mainstream classes, and when we did that with the inclusionary approach, scores went up. We did that with special-needs students—I’m a very strong proponent of inclusion.”
As a result of that, in Portland, at Hopson’s once-troubled school, “We met benchmarks.”
Hopson says this approach not only encourages achievement, but also is successful in finding fairness in discipline.
These are issues not only important to the students and the future success of the district, but which have been at the very heart of the desegregation case currently before District Judge Brian Miller.
Charles Hopson must be in hog heaven. The new Pulaski County Special School District superintendent says he loves a good challenge, and does he have one now.
As a principal, Hopson’s been successful in turning around the fortunes of the Portland, Ore., highs schools and confronting problems caused by issues of race and poverty.
But now he leads a district that’s lost enrollment every year for at least a decade—a district famous for a bitterly divided school board, hired-and-fired superintendents, perpetual conflict and frequent court battles between the teachers’ union and school board, and a district seeking unitary status in federal district court. Should it succeed, it will face new budgetary challenges as millions of dollars in state “deseg money” are phased out.
Many PCSSD schools are in academic trouble. With few exceptions, its 34 schools are half-a-century old and need restoring or replacing and Jacksonville is committed to seceding and forming its own school district at the first opportunity.
There are demonstrated disparities in academic performance and discipline based upon race and/or poverty.
His first district-wide move—changing the bell schedule—stirred controversy and ended in reversal.
But other changes, already implemented at Jacksonville High School, show promise.
Hopson says he welcomes the challenges and that he’s cautiously optimistic.
He put a central office administrator, Karl Brown, director on special assignment, in the office and in the halls at Jacksonville High School.
Two weeks into the school year, “I had five people come to me and tell me that Jacksonville High School is a completely different place than last year,” Hopson said in an exclusive interview last week. “That was a structure I put in place there based on quick analysis.”
One person who has praised the change is a member of the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers. “It’s a whole different thing,” another person told him.
Hopson says that student behavior there shows significant improvement.
“We know the building has been cleaned. Teachers are focused. There’s less hanging out in the hallway, students are expressing that the environment there is more conducive to learning,” Hopson said.
“What I’m hearing is that Jacksonville High School is more controlled. The students are less disruptive and more orderly.
“I sense a turnaround. You take those small kinds of successes. That right there is enough to say there is hope.
“I have very high expectations,” Hopson said. “I doubt the district in five years will be where I want it to be, but …
it will not be where it is now.”
NEW IDEAS
Hopson’s got a whole satchel full of new ideas—one employee said the new mantra among district employees might be: “We’ve never done it like that before.”
Some are sure to be controversial and who knows how many will even be implemented:
Year-round school, changing the bell schedule, mainstreaming virtually all students and making advanced-placement classes open to all. Making teachers accountable for educating students and helping or dismissing those who don’t make the grade.
Not the least of his new ideas is transparency—open communication and making decisions publicly and with public input.
In his 100-day listening tour, he’s visiting his third school in the district, meeting with patrons and teachers so far in two ofthem. Originally slated for one-hour events, one lasted more than two hours, the other four hours.
He’s stood up to the board and met with the teachers’ union officials.
BELL SCHEDULE
But along with this apparent early success at Jacksonville, Hopson has had to retreat from his first across-the-board edict—changing the elementary school bell schedule.
He wanted to start the school day earlier, give students more instruction time and move the teacher prep time to within the school day. Parents objected to putting kids out at the bus stop so early and teachers said the change violated their contract.
The bell schedule is part of the teacher’s negotiated contract, and despite efforts by four school board members to dump the union and its contract, the board has been unable to successfully follow the law in those efforts.
Thus the union remains the teachers’ negotiating agent, the existing professionally negotiated agreement remains in effect and Hopson agreed to leave the elementary school schedule the same.
Hopson said he backed away from the so-called “bell-schedule” controversy because it was “an existing point of contention in the district with associations and strong feelings already in place.”
So for the time being, all schools will start at 7:30 a.m., even though that will require aftercare for some students at various elementary schools until parents can get by to pick them up and make different arrangements for next semester.
He said the bell schedule would be examined again in the future.
“Instruction needs to drive the beginning and end of school, not transportation limitations.
“I’m pushing my transportation people to be more creative,” he said.
For all of the district’s storied problems, “I expected a bit more turbulence than I’ve experienced,” Hopson said. “I’m pleased that what I expected is not what I experienced. This district has enormous promise.”
CORPORATE SUPERINTENDANT
Hopson said that not only is his administration based on the corporate model, he is a corporate-trained superintendent.
When he lived and worked in Portland, Nike, the shoe and athletic apparel giant, awarded a grant to his district and paid a professional corporate manager to work with administrators as mentors.
“I went to the Nike headquarters, went off campus and worked with top-level executives. My high school had a business manager, funded by Nike.
“The difference is, we are not producing widgets, we are producing students. But the focus is still on excellence and we’ll use corporate constructs to get there,” Hopson said.
Toward that end, Hopson has combined some cabinet-level positions and brought in experienced people to oversee certain areas. He’s brought in a man who managed facilities for the Air Force for decades to oversee construction, repair and maintenance of PCSSD buildings.
His chief technology officer already has saved the district tens of thousands of dollars in the purchase of new software and hardware, he said.
“We have a blend of people who are experts in their fields. We’ll have the resources and the paradigm shift,” Hopson said.
“We have two deputy superintendents focused on academic accountability,” he pointed out.
BOARD NOT MICROMANAGING
Another thing that is changed from last year is that school board president Tim Clark is no longer micromanaging the district.
Clark billed the district mileage for more than 100 trips to the district office after firing Supt. James Sharp and installing his personal choice, Rob McGill, as the interim superintendent.
“That’s not happening this year,” Hopson said.
“As instructional leader, I need to have the autonomy to move forward without their interference as policy makers.”
Hopson said the board has “showed respect for me as the instructional leader.”
With his willingness to talk and emphasis on transparency, Hopson seems to be earning grudging respect from PACT as well.
He has met with their leaders at least twice to discuss his agenda and hear their concerns, and while they are not necessarily in accord, the lines of communications are opening up, essential to building trust and a working relationship.
YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL?
Hopson has ideas that are currently out of the mainstream, such as someday going to a year-round school year and mainstreaming virtually all students and making advanced-placement classes available to them.
“We need to look at models that are not agrarian,” Hopson said. The current school year is based on the outdated time when all family members were needed to help gather the crops.
Increasingly, districts are going to the year-round school model, with perhaps one-month breaks between trimesters. Studies have shown that during summers, students lose a lot of what they’ve been taught.
This is not going to be an immediately popular notion with students, parents or teachers, all of whom have grown accustomed to about 10 weeks of summer break. If it happens, “It’s going to be uncomfortable to push past the status quo,” Hopson said.
“But we have to prepare students to be world class.”
“In my prior years working with unions in Oregon, I have been able to work collaboratively with the unions to get ineffective teachers…out of the classroom and we’ve started that same conversation here. In recent talks that I’ve had with PACT, I believe principals should be instructional leaders in the classroom, should be visible walking into those classrooms assessing effective (teaching) practices, those are some of the same expectations that they share.
“The one thing I will not compromise on is poor instruction in the classroom,” the superintendent sai.
“If I am able to gain a degree of consensus around accountability in the classroom, and also support my accountability for principals being strong instructional leaders in their schools, those two issues collectively will mean greater outcomes for our students,” Hopson said.
CULTURALLY RELEVANT TEACHING
He said he wants his principals to have “culturally relevant” teaching that takes into consideration the issues of race and poverty and not seeing those issues as excuses for why students cannot achieve at high levels but recognizing them …so that they are able to empower students as opposed to having the issues become barriers.
“Those two issues can easily become barriers for students who have tremendous promise academically, but are struggling with many of those dilemmas in the schools,” he said.
More simply put, Hopson would mainstream all students, have high expectations of them and then give them—along with their teachers—the tools they need to succeed.
“When we engage students who are underrepresented in advance placements and overrepresented in suspension and expulsions in a relevant, meaningful way by removing race and poverty as barriers and pushing them into those classes, we affirm them and gave them the confidence to succeed,” Hopson said.
He says he’s seen it work in Portland and it will work here.
“We moved students in mainstream classes, and when we did that with the inclusionary approach, scores went up. We did that with special-needs students—I’m a very strong proponent of inclusion.”
As a result of that, in Portland, at Hopson’s once-troubled school, “We met benchmarks.”
Hopson says this approach not only encourages achievement, but also is successful in finding fairness in discipline.
These are issues not only important to the students and the future success of the district, but which have been at the very heart of the desegregation case currently before District Judge Brian Miller.
TOP STORY > >Air show set for takeoff Oct. 9-10
Little Rock Air Force Base is expecting up to 250,000 people at its “Thunder Over the Rock” air show Oct. 9-10.
Gates will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. Admission is free.
Main headliners are the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team and the Army Golden Knight parachute team.
Other attractions will include several C-130s, the Super Hornet, Canadian Skyhawks, Otto the Helicopter, Mike Rinker and “Pink Floyd,” Shockwave Jet Truck, Alabama Boys and “Tora, Tora, Tora” World War II fighter planes and others.
“’Thunder Over the Rock’ gives us the opportunity to showcase Team Little Rock and our C-130 combat airlift mission to our central Arkansas neighbors,” said Bob Oldham, 19th Airlift Wing chief of public affairs. “It’s a great deal, especially for families, because you can’t beat the price – admission and parking are free,” he said.
Local businesses are contributing $50,000 to make the air show possible.
The Thunderbirds began flying in 1953, making them almost as old as the Air Force, which was organized in 1947. The team includes 12 officers and 120 enlisted members.
They perform in 73 air shows a year in 11 F-16s. The Thunder-birds are assigned to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights have been parachuting together for 50 years. They have two 12-member teams that fly in a C-31A Troopship and perform 240 days a year.
The “Tora Tora Tora” re-creation involves several Japanese fighters and bombers simulating the Pearl Harbor attack.
In addition, “Tora” provides smoke, fire and explosions from the pyrotechnics team.
The Alabama Boys are a flying comedy team. Using a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub, this act begins as “farmer” Clem Cleaver climbs up on the announcer’s stand, demanding a flight lesson.
Later in the show, he “steals” the plane and takes off solo, with his whole crew chasing. “Grandpa” shoots off a tire to get him down.
Planes on display will include the A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog, B-52 Stratofortress, F-16 Fighting Falcon and others.
Gates will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. Admission is free.
Main headliners are the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team and the Army Golden Knight parachute team.
Other attractions will include several C-130s, the Super Hornet, Canadian Skyhawks, Otto the Helicopter, Mike Rinker and “Pink Floyd,” Shockwave Jet Truck, Alabama Boys and “Tora, Tora, Tora” World War II fighter planes and others.
“’Thunder Over the Rock’ gives us the opportunity to showcase Team Little Rock and our C-130 combat airlift mission to our central Arkansas neighbors,” said Bob Oldham, 19th Airlift Wing chief of public affairs. “It’s a great deal, especially for families, because you can’t beat the price – admission and parking are free,” he said.
Local businesses are contributing $50,000 to make the air show possible.
The Thunderbirds began flying in 1953, making them almost as old as the Air Force, which was organized in 1947. The team includes 12 officers and 120 enlisted members.
They perform in 73 air shows a year in 11 F-16s. The Thunder-birds are assigned to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights have been parachuting together for 50 years. They have two 12-member teams that fly in a C-31A Troopship and perform 240 days a year.
The “Tora Tora Tora” re-creation involves several Japanese fighters and bombers simulating the Pearl Harbor attack.
In addition, “Tora” provides smoke, fire and explosions from the pyrotechnics team.
The Alabama Boys are a flying comedy team. Using a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub, this act begins as “farmer” Clem Cleaver climbs up on the announcer’s stand, demanding a flight lesson.
Later in the show, he “steals” the plane and takes off solo, with his whole crew chasing. “Grandpa” shoots off a tire to get him down.
Planes on display will include the A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog, B-52 Stratofortress, F-16 Fighting Falcon and others.
Saturday, September 04, 2010
SPORTS>>South wins Panther civil war
By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
It probably isn’t too surprising Cabot South Junior High and Cabot North played to a thrilling finish Thursday night.
What would you expect from teams that share the same playbook?
South’s Tyler Stone intercepted North’s fourth-down pass in the end zone as time expired to preserve South’s 14-8 victory in the season opener at Panther Stadium.
The defensive stand capped a scoreless second half and underscored the fact the teams, which feed talent to the senior high Panthers, run basically the same Dead-T offense used by the varsity.
“It’s just one of those games; it doesn’t matter what teams’ records are or whatever,” South coach Lee Melder said. “These kids are going to play hard against each other. It’s a blood battle and that’s what we expect.”
South took a 14-0 lead on two first-half touchdowns by leading rusher Keith Pledger, but North cut the lead on Jordan Burke’s long touchdown run in the closing seconds of the half, that, with the two-point conversion, capped the scoring.
“Having an opportunity to win the ballgame at the end, when we should be going in for the go-ahead score, I could not be prouder of this group of young men,” North coach Danny Spencer said. “They showed they’re ready to step it up.”
“We could have played a lot better but I’m never going to be disappointed in a win,” Melder said.
South recovered an onside kick to start the second half and drove to the North 29 but turned it over on downs. North marched to the South 16 but Levi Looney threw incomplete on fourth down.
“Our guys did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage at times,” Melder said. “But I’ll tell you what, North, especially in the second half, they took it to us.”
Glover Helpenstill recovered a fumble to end South’s next drive, and North drove to the South 6 with help from a pass-interference call that wiped out an interception.
“Us and the referee had opposing views on that,” Melder said.
After a timeout with 21 seconds left, Stone intercepted Looney in the front right side of the end zone as time ran out.
“We finally got the last shot in,” Melder said. “Tyler Stone, who intercepted that ball, did a great job defensively and he did a great job at halfback.”
Pledger gave South an early lead when he ran 10 yards up the middle and scored the conversion to make it 8-0 with 2:43 left in the first quarter.
The play capped a 51-yard drive that began after South recovered North’s opening onside kick.
South made it 14-0 when Pledger scored on a three-yard run, topping off a 74-yard drive with 31 seconds left in the half.
Burke dropped the ensuing kickoff and was pulled down at the 12, but he made up for it seconds later when he got through the left side and outran all pursuit for an 88-yard touchdown with 9 seconds left.
Looney kept for the conversion to make it 14-8 at halftime.
“Right back in the game, right at the half, that’s a big momentum changer,” Spencer said. “Big. But it started with the offensive line.”
Pledger gained 71 yards to lead South and Chris Henry added 48 while Kason Kimbrell had one pass completion of 21 yards.
“When we needed it, he did a great job on both sides of the ball,” Melder said of Pledger.
Thanks to his long run, Burke led North with 108 yards and Charlie Hancock gained 53.
“We’re not where we need to be but we’re knocking at the door,” Spencer said.
JACKSONVILLE 20, PULASKI ROBINSON 6
The Senators struck first on a 15-yard option play but the rest was all Red Devils.
Carlin Heard tied the game for Jacksonville with a 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The score was tied 6-6 at the half before Randy Armstrong set up the go-ahead score for Jacksonville in the third quarter with a 38-yard run off a reverse that gave the junior Devils first-and-goal at the 3-yard line. Again it was Heard crossing the goal line for the score. Quarterback Jacob Price hit Robert Harris for a successful two-point conversion pass.
Heard set the final margin with a 20-yard touchdown run.
Leader sports editor
It probably isn’t too surprising Cabot South Junior High and Cabot North played to a thrilling finish Thursday night.
What would you expect from teams that share the same playbook?
South’s Tyler Stone intercepted North’s fourth-down pass in the end zone as time expired to preserve South’s 14-8 victory in the season opener at Panther Stadium.
The defensive stand capped a scoreless second half and underscored the fact the teams, which feed talent to the senior high Panthers, run basically the same Dead-T offense used by the varsity.
“It’s just one of those games; it doesn’t matter what teams’ records are or whatever,” South coach Lee Melder said. “These kids are going to play hard against each other. It’s a blood battle and that’s what we expect.”
South took a 14-0 lead on two first-half touchdowns by leading rusher Keith Pledger, but North cut the lead on Jordan Burke’s long touchdown run in the closing seconds of the half, that, with the two-point conversion, capped the scoring.
“Having an opportunity to win the ballgame at the end, when we should be going in for the go-ahead score, I could not be prouder of this group of young men,” North coach Danny Spencer said. “They showed they’re ready to step it up.”
“We could have played a lot better but I’m never going to be disappointed in a win,” Melder said.
South recovered an onside kick to start the second half and drove to the North 29 but turned it over on downs. North marched to the South 16 but Levi Looney threw incomplete on fourth down.
“Our guys did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage at times,” Melder said. “But I’ll tell you what, North, especially in the second half, they took it to us.”
Glover Helpenstill recovered a fumble to end South’s next drive, and North drove to the South 6 with help from a pass-interference call that wiped out an interception.
“Us and the referee had opposing views on that,” Melder said.
After a timeout with 21 seconds left, Stone intercepted Looney in the front right side of the end zone as time ran out.
“We finally got the last shot in,” Melder said. “Tyler Stone, who intercepted that ball, did a great job defensively and he did a great job at halfback.”
Pledger gave South an early lead when he ran 10 yards up the middle and scored the conversion to make it 8-0 with 2:43 left in the first quarter.
The play capped a 51-yard drive that began after South recovered North’s opening onside kick.
South made it 14-0 when Pledger scored on a three-yard run, topping off a 74-yard drive with 31 seconds left in the half.
Burke dropped the ensuing kickoff and was pulled down at the 12, but he made up for it seconds later when he got through the left side and outran all pursuit for an 88-yard touchdown with 9 seconds left.
Looney kept for the conversion to make it 14-8 at halftime.
“Right back in the game, right at the half, that’s a big momentum changer,” Spencer said. “Big. But it started with the offensive line.”
Pledger gained 71 yards to lead South and Chris Henry added 48 while Kason Kimbrell had one pass completion of 21 yards.
“When we needed it, he did a great job on both sides of the ball,” Melder said of Pledger.
Thanks to his long run, Burke led North with 108 yards and Charlie Hancock gained 53.
“We’re not where we need to be but we’re knocking at the door,” Spencer said.
JACKSONVILLE 20, PULASKI ROBINSON 6
The Senators struck first on a 15-yard option play but the rest was all Red Devils.
Carlin Heard tied the game for Jacksonville with a 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The score was tied 6-6 at the half before Randy Armstrong set up the go-ahead score for Jacksonville in the third quarter with a 38-yard run off a reverse that gave the junior Devils first-and-goal at the 3-yard line. Again it was Heard crossing the goal line for the score. Quarterback Jacob Price hit Robert Harris for a successful two-point conversion pass.
Heard set the final margin with a 20-yard touchdown run.
SPORTS>>Lady Red Devils hold on
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Jacksonville Lady Red Devils were looking for an easy conference victory, but the upstart Searcy Lady Lions club gave them all they wanted in a five-game nail-biter at the Devils Den on Thursday.
Jacksonville took the match 25-12, 22-25, 29-27, 12-25, 18-16 to begin 6A/7A-East Conference play.
The Lady Devils (2-1, 1-0) overwhelmed their opponents with strong serving in Game 1 before Searcy adjusted and came back to win the second game. The margin never exceeded two points for either side in the third game.
Searcy denied Jacksonville four match points in the final game and came back to take a 16-15 lead before two defensive errors and an ace by Jacksonville junior libero Taylor Ruple finally iced it.
“There were a lot of things we definitely didn’t do well,” Jacksonville coach Melissa Reeves said. “But I told the girls in the locker room that last effort is all you can really ask. They gave everything they had and showed me a lot of heart.
“But we’ve just got to correct so much.”
The lack of a dominant net player for either team made defensive play key, and Ruple delivered for Jacksonville with nine digs, and Katie Lawrence had five more.
“Defense is crucial,” Reeves said. “We’re still working on coverage and them knowing exactly where they are. We’re a little behind, but we have corrected some habits and are correcting other habits.
“We do get caught standing around watching a lot. When you play in 6A, you can’t sit around and wait for things to happen, you have to make things happen.”
But it was the Lady Red Devils’ service game that gave them the early advantage. Senior hitter Chyna Davis led the way in the first game with four consecutive aces as part of her game-high eight.
The aces took Jacksonville from a 5-4 deficit to an 8-5 advantage, and Sierra Davis kept momentum with three kills that allowed Jacksonville to build a double-digit lead.
Searcy’s serve-receive ratio improved in Game 2. After giving up nine aces in the first game, the Lady Lions surrendered only two in the second, and junior Michaelah Weaver closed the gaps in the backcourt to deny Sierra Davis the easy kills.
Chyna Davis had two kills midway through and another pair late that extended the game-three score to 26-26.
Lawrence then got her first kill of the match for game point, and Chyna Davis ended it with an ace on the back line that Searcy players protested was out.
The Lady Lions’ youth showed on the disputed play, as non-captains questioned officials on the call, which goes against protocol.
Jacksonville fell apart in the fourth game but gathered itself for the fifth. Searcy got out to a 4-1 lead on the service of junior setter Cheyann Bolin before the Lady Lions gave most of that lead back on defensive errors.
Sierra Davis tied it 8-8 with a kill before teaming up with Chyna Davis for a block that gave the Lady Devils their first lead of the game at 9-8.
Chyna Davis and Lawrence got one more kill each, and Searcy made two more errors before giving up one more ace to Ruple that ended it.
Jacksonville was hit-and-miss offensively, but senior setter Tyler Pickett gave the Lady Red Devils plenty of chances with a perfect match in the middle.
Pickett went 72 of 72 on sets through five games. Cierra Davis led offensively with nine kills while Chyna Davis added seven.
Cierra Davis also had six blocks.
Coyja Hood had four aces for Jacksonville.
Leader sportswriter
The Jacksonville Lady Red Devils were looking for an easy conference victory, but the upstart Searcy Lady Lions club gave them all they wanted in a five-game nail-biter at the Devils Den on Thursday.
Jacksonville took the match 25-12, 22-25, 29-27, 12-25, 18-16 to begin 6A/7A-East Conference play.
The Lady Devils (2-1, 1-0) overwhelmed their opponents with strong serving in Game 1 before Searcy adjusted and came back to win the second game. The margin never exceeded two points for either side in the third game.
Searcy denied Jacksonville four match points in the final game and came back to take a 16-15 lead before two defensive errors and an ace by Jacksonville junior libero Taylor Ruple finally iced it.
“There were a lot of things we definitely didn’t do well,” Jacksonville coach Melissa Reeves said. “But I told the girls in the locker room that last effort is all you can really ask. They gave everything they had and showed me a lot of heart.
“But we’ve just got to correct so much.”
The lack of a dominant net player for either team made defensive play key, and Ruple delivered for Jacksonville with nine digs, and Katie Lawrence had five more.
“Defense is crucial,” Reeves said. “We’re still working on coverage and them knowing exactly where they are. We’re a little behind, but we have corrected some habits and are correcting other habits.
“We do get caught standing around watching a lot. When you play in 6A, you can’t sit around and wait for things to happen, you have to make things happen.”
But it was the Lady Red Devils’ service game that gave them the early advantage. Senior hitter Chyna Davis led the way in the first game with four consecutive aces as part of her game-high eight.
The aces took Jacksonville from a 5-4 deficit to an 8-5 advantage, and Sierra Davis kept momentum with three kills that allowed Jacksonville to build a double-digit lead.
Searcy’s serve-receive ratio improved in Game 2. After giving up nine aces in the first game, the Lady Lions surrendered only two in the second, and junior Michaelah Weaver closed the gaps in the backcourt to deny Sierra Davis the easy kills.
Chyna Davis had two kills midway through and another pair late that extended the game-three score to 26-26.
Lawrence then got her first kill of the match for game point, and Chyna Davis ended it with an ace on the back line that Searcy players protested was out.
The Lady Lions’ youth showed on the disputed play, as non-captains questioned officials on the call, which goes against protocol.
Jacksonville fell apart in the fourth game but gathered itself for the fifth. Searcy got out to a 4-1 lead on the service of junior setter Cheyann Bolin before the Lady Lions gave most of that lead back on defensive errors.
Sierra Davis tied it 8-8 with a kill before teaming up with Chyna Davis for a block that gave the Lady Devils their first lead of the game at 9-8.
Chyna Davis and Lawrence got one more kill each, and Searcy made two more errors before giving up one more ace to Ruple that ended it.
Jacksonville was hit-and-miss offensively, but senior setter Tyler Pickett gave the Lady Red Devils plenty of chances with a perfect match in the middle.
Pickett went 72 of 72 on sets through five games. Cierra Davis led offensively with nine kills while Chyna Davis added seven.
Cierra Davis also had six blocks.
Coyja Hood had four aces for Jacksonville.
SPORTS>>Lions tear up Falcons, spoil debut of Hatcher
By CHAD MATCHETT
Special to The Leader
The Searcy Lions gave their fans something to be happy about Friday night even if head coach Tim Harper wasn’t completely satisfied.
Searcy handed the North Pulaski Falcons a 56-0 loss to begin new head coach Terrod Hatcher’s career on a sour note.
Dezmond Stegall passed for 214 yards and four touchdowns, while adding close to 100 yards on the ground. That may have not been the best performance of the game by the Lions, as B.J. Slaughter had two receiving touchdowns, two interceptions and a punt return for the touchdown.
“B.J. really had a great game tonight,” Harper said. “He’s got great speed and is really one of the best wide receivers and defensive backs in the state. He’s going to be playing college ball somewhere.”
Jacob Mowrer had a solid second half for Searcy, catching touchdown passes of 24 and 66 yards in the second quarter.
Searcy’s offense was not rolling early however, as North Pulaski’s defense played well enough to keep the game scoreless through the first quarter.
North Pulaski’s inability to get anything going on offense eventually wore down the defense as it tried to hold off the Lions on the short field.
“We have to get the offensive line together,” Hatcher said. “They weren’t doing anything out there.”
The Falcons’ offense was plagued with four interceptions, a pair of turnovers and several mistakes that didn’t result in turnovers.
While the scoreboard didn’t show it, Searcy’s offense wasn’t clicking on all cylinders either. The Lions’ first score in the second half came on fourth-and-11 after the offense stalled for three straight plays deep in Falcon territory.
“We were completely out of sync on offense,” Harper said. “I don’t know if the guys were nervous because they actually have some expectations this year, but we’re so much better than that. We’ve got a long ways to go if we’re going to handle a team like Batesville next week.”
Searcy’s defense did earn plenty of praise from Harper after it shut down the Falcons. Andrew Moore added two interceptions to Slaughter’s pair of interceptions.
While North Pulaski’s defense was better than the offense, the eventual breakdowns didn’t please Hatcher.
“We had too many breakdowns all over the field on defense,” Hatcher said. “We have to get them straightened out before next week’s game.”
Hatcher was asked about what the Falcons needed to do to get ready for Oak Grove on a short holiday week.
“Oh, it won’t be a short week for those guys,” Hatcher said. “They’ll be on the practice field Monday.”
Hatcher, 23, is the youngest coach in the state after moving up from offensive coordinator late in the offseason.
He applied and took the job at the urging of his players when previous head coach Rick Russell departed after one year to return to Jacksonville as head coach.
Russell had been an assistant at Jacksonville for 14 years.
Hatcher played for Russell as a defensive back when Hatcher was at Jacksonville. Hatcher was also a running back for the Red Devils, and it was Russell who tabbed Hatcher as his offensvie coordinator at North Pulaski.
Hatcher was named Falcons head coach just before practice began on Aug. 2.
Special to The Leader
The Searcy Lions gave their fans something to be happy about Friday night even if head coach Tim Harper wasn’t completely satisfied.
Searcy handed the North Pulaski Falcons a 56-0 loss to begin new head coach Terrod Hatcher’s career on a sour note.
Dezmond Stegall passed for 214 yards and four touchdowns, while adding close to 100 yards on the ground. That may have not been the best performance of the game by the Lions, as B.J. Slaughter had two receiving touchdowns, two interceptions and a punt return for the touchdown.
“B.J. really had a great game tonight,” Harper said. “He’s got great speed and is really one of the best wide receivers and defensive backs in the state. He’s going to be playing college ball somewhere.”
Jacob Mowrer had a solid second half for Searcy, catching touchdown passes of 24 and 66 yards in the second quarter.
Searcy’s offense was not rolling early however, as North Pulaski’s defense played well enough to keep the game scoreless through the first quarter.
North Pulaski’s inability to get anything going on offense eventually wore down the defense as it tried to hold off the Lions on the short field.
“We have to get the offensive line together,” Hatcher said. “They weren’t doing anything out there.”
The Falcons’ offense was plagued with four interceptions, a pair of turnovers and several mistakes that didn’t result in turnovers.
While the scoreboard didn’t show it, Searcy’s offense wasn’t clicking on all cylinders either. The Lions’ first score in the second half came on fourth-and-11 after the offense stalled for three straight plays deep in Falcon territory.
“We were completely out of sync on offense,” Harper said. “I don’t know if the guys were nervous because they actually have some expectations this year, but we’re so much better than that. We’ve got a long ways to go if we’re going to handle a team like Batesville next week.”
Searcy’s defense did earn plenty of praise from Harper after it shut down the Falcons. Andrew Moore added two interceptions to Slaughter’s pair of interceptions.
While North Pulaski’s defense was better than the offense, the eventual breakdowns didn’t please Hatcher.
“We had too many breakdowns all over the field on defense,” Hatcher said. “We have to get them straightened out before next week’s game.”
Hatcher was asked about what the Falcons needed to do to get ready for Oak Grove on a short holiday week.
“Oh, it won’t be a short week for those guys,” Hatcher said. “They’ll be on the practice field Monday.”
Hatcher, 23, is the youngest coach in the state after moving up from offensive coordinator late in the offseason.
He applied and took the job at the urging of his players when previous head coach Rick Russell departed after one year to return to Jacksonville as head coach.
Russell had been an assistant at Jacksonville for 14 years.
Hatcher played for Russell as a defensive back when Hatcher was at Jacksonville. Hatcher was also a running back for the Red Devils, and it was Russell who tabbed Hatcher as his offensvie coordinator at North Pulaski.
Hatcher was named Falcons head coach just before practice began on Aug. 2.
SPORTS>>Carlisle runs over Riverview in opener
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Riverview kept it close for a half until Carlisle’s grinding running game wore the Raiders down in the second half, and the Bison cruised to a 28-6 victory on Friday at Raider Stadium in Searcy.
Both sides had their share of the expected, early-season mishaps, including 60-plus penalty yards each way, but Carlisle’s four interceptions of Riverview junior quarterback Josh Roach proved to be the ultimate momentum killer against the Raiders.
“Their size seems to do it to us every year,” Riverview coach Stuart Hill said. “They’re double the size of us up front, and no matter how many people we ship in and out up front, it just wears on you.”
Carlisle used the passing game sporadically, but the Bison offense capped a dominant night by scoring their final touchdown with a 26-yard completion from quarterback Zach King to D.J. Miller that made it 28-0 with 2:44 left to play.
The Raiders never quit fighting, and finally found the end zone in the final minute when Roach scrambled four yards for the score. The drive started with three solid runs by backup fullback Zach Grimes, who moved the ball from the Carlisle 48 to the 23 before Roach broke free on a 19-yard keeper that set the Raiders up with first and goal at the 4.
“We make just a few more plays offensively, and it’s a different game,” Hill said. “We’re real close to making those plays. You know, a few little passes here just kept us out of it.
“Up front, we had trouble with their D-line, anyone’s going to have trouble with their D-line, I mean, they’re a top-five team because of their line.”
Carlisle took control mid-way through the third quarter on a drive aided by heavy penalties against Riverview.
Senior linebacker Chayse Parson was flagged when his hit on Carlisle ball carrier Braxton Petrus came just after the whistle. That moved the ball forward 15 yards, and another penalty against the Raiders, this time for unsportsmanlike conduct, moved it ahead half the distance to the goal line to give the Bison a first down at the Riverview 10-yard-line.
Carlisle converted on the next play when Caleb Carpenter ran it up the middle for the touchdown with 4:27 left in the third quarter to give the Bison a 16-0 lead following Blake Perkins’ successful conversion run.
Ben Walker gave the Bison a three-score cushion with 8:12 left to play on a 52-yard touchdown run.
Riverview’s defense sniffed out the tricky Wing-T runs for the most part in the first half, but better execution by Carlisle in the second half combined with winded Riverview defenders allowed the Bison to rack up the yards and score on three of their five possessions.
“Defensively, I think we are better,” Hill said. “Last year, we played as good a game defensively as we could, and we held them to 30-something.
“Tonight, the offense put us in bad positions, and we were close to shutting them down. I mean, we were that close.”
Ben Walker improved field position with a 28-yard run to the Carlisle 40, followed by a nine-yard run by D.J. Miller. Caleb Carpenter then went off tackle for a 29-yard run that pushed the ball to the Riverview 22, and Carpenter ran in for the score two plays later from 20 yards out.
Roach completed 11 of 23 passes for 114 yards and four interceptions, and rushed 12 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders had 218 yards of total offense.
Walker carried 10 times for 97 yards and a touchdown while Carpenter had five rushes for 88 yards and two scores. The Bison finished with 374 total yards, 303 of which were on the ground.
Leader sportswriter
Riverview kept it close for a half until Carlisle’s grinding running game wore the Raiders down in the second half, and the Bison cruised to a 28-6 victory on Friday at Raider Stadium in Searcy.
Both sides had their share of the expected, early-season mishaps, including 60-plus penalty yards each way, but Carlisle’s four interceptions of Riverview junior quarterback Josh Roach proved to be the ultimate momentum killer against the Raiders.
“Their size seems to do it to us every year,” Riverview coach Stuart Hill said. “They’re double the size of us up front, and no matter how many people we ship in and out up front, it just wears on you.”
Carlisle used the passing game sporadically, but the Bison offense capped a dominant night by scoring their final touchdown with a 26-yard completion from quarterback Zach King to D.J. Miller that made it 28-0 with 2:44 left to play.
The Raiders never quit fighting, and finally found the end zone in the final minute when Roach scrambled four yards for the score. The drive started with three solid runs by backup fullback Zach Grimes, who moved the ball from the Carlisle 48 to the 23 before Roach broke free on a 19-yard keeper that set the Raiders up with first and goal at the 4.
“We make just a few more plays offensively, and it’s a different game,” Hill said. “We’re real close to making those plays. You know, a few little passes here just kept us out of it.
“Up front, we had trouble with their D-line, anyone’s going to have trouble with their D-line, I mean, they’re a top-five team because of their line.”
Carlisle took control mid-way through the third quarter on a drive aided by heavy penalties against Riverview.
Senior linebacker Chayse Parson was flagged when his hit on Carlisle ball carrier Braxton Petrus came just after the whistle. That moved the ball forward 15 yards, and another penalty against the Raiders, this time for unsportsmanlike conduct, moved it ahead half the distance to the goal line to give the Bison a first down at the Riverview 10-yard-line.
Carlisle converted on the next play when Caleb Carpenter ran it up the middle for the touchdown with 4:27 left in the third quarter to give the Bison a 16-0 lead following Blake Perkins’ successful conversion run.
Ben Walker gave the Bison a three-score cushion with 8:12 left to play on a 52-yard touchdown run.
Riverview’s defense sniffed out the tricky Wing-T runs for the most part in the first half, but better execution by Carlisle in the second half combined with winded Riverview defenders allowed the Bison to rack up the yards and score on three of their five possessions.
“Defensively, I think we are better,” Hill said. “Last year, we played as good a game defensively as we could, and we held them to 30-something.
“Tonight, the offense put us in bad positions, and we were close to shutting them down. I mean, we were that close.”
Ben Walker improved field position with a 28-yard run to the Carlisle 40, followed by a nine-yard run by D.J. Miller. Caleb Carpenter then went off tackle for a 29-yard run that pushed the ball to the Riverview 22, and Carpenter ran in for the score two plays later from 20 yards out.
Roach completed 11 of 23 passes for 114 yards and four interceptions, and rushed 12 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders had 218 yards of total offense.
Walker carried 10 times for 97 yards and a touchdown while Carpenter had five rushes for 88 yards and two scores. The Bison finished with 374 total yards, 303 of which were on the ground.
SPORTS>>Wildcats strike back
By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
Seth Keese’s knee looked completely healthy Friday night.
The only thing in better shape was his spirits.
Keese, Harding Academy’s senior quarterback, had close to 300 total yards as the Wildcats beat defending 3A state champion Fountain Lake 28-20 at First Security Stadium on Friday.
Fountain Lake knocked Harding Academy out of the 3A state semifinals last year and injured Keese’s knee with a late hit on the third play of that game. But Keese got even Friday, rushing for over 155 yards and two touchdowns and passing for 130 yards and two more scores.
“It feels great, this is probably the best I’ve ever felt,” Keese said. “Everybody on our team did amazing. It was awesome.”
Keese, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in last year’s playoff — though he finished the 42-10 loss — had surgery in December and rehabbed in the offseason, skipping basketball to do so. But after leading the Wildcats to a 21-6 lead and throwing in a 97-yard run to set up his second score, he said the hard work was worth it.
“We were so motivated,” Keese said. “I don’t think I said a word in the lockerroom before the game. This is the game I tore my ACL. This is the game I wanted to win. If we lost every other game and we won this, I’d be happy.”
But clearly, after Friday, the Wildcats expect win more.
“They were the No. 1 team in the state, it can’t get better than that,” Keese said. “We’re the team to beat right now. People have to come and prove that they’re better than us.”
Harding Academy coach Roddy Mote was clearly jubilant when he spoke to the Wildcats, whose only loss last year was to Fountain Lake, after their victory. But he cautioned his players that, while they could have a special season, they had won just one regular season game so far.
“We just played hard, I thought we were well-prepared and our kids executed our game plan,” Mote said. “It’s just a special bunch of kids and I think that was evident tonight.”
Keese had rushing touchdowns of 33 and 2 yards and had passing touchdowns of 5 yards to Corey Guymon and 6 yards to Jay
Bona with the last scoring completion making it 28-6.
Fountain Lake got touchdown runs of 35 and 15 yards from Dale Smith in the final 3:25, with Harding Academy playing many of its reserves. The late scores weren’t enough to diminish the effort of the Wildcats’ defense, which recovered a fumble and made four fourth-down stops.
“We played fast,” Mote said. “I felt like our kids did a great job of reading keys and we had a lot of people around the football.”
Harding Academy took a 14-6 halftime thanks to Keese’s two long runs, one that was decidedly longer than the other.
Keese capped a 58-yard drive on the Wildcats’ first possession when he ran in from the 33, but an offensive facemask penalty cost Harding Academy a chance at the conversion and left the score 6-0 with 7:27 left.
Harding Academy’s Seth Ransom sacked Coleman Crawford on third down to help stall Fountain Lake’s possession, and Jace Davis ended another Cobras drive when he recovered a fumble at the Harding Academy 1 with 7:20 left in the half.
Keese then broke off tackle and raced 97 yards before he was dragged down at the Fountain Lake 2. Keese ran it in on the next play and completed the conversion pass to Bona to make it 14-0 with 7:01 remaining.
“It was a zone right and it was a great block,” Keese said of his long run. “I didn’t get touched until the very end when I got horse-collar tackled. But it was great. I just kept running.
“Maybe if I was a little faster I would have scored.”
Fountain Lake took the high short kickoff at its 35 and the Cobras marched for reserve quarterback Michael Pope’s 1-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds left in the half. The biggest gain of the drive was Mark Makin’s 12-yard run for a first down.
John Curtis’ extra-point kick failed to leave it 14-6 at halftime.
Keese led Harding Academy with 143 rushing yards in the first half and Makin led Fountain Lake with 76.
“Seth’s a great high school football player,” Mote said.
“He’ll have an opportunity to play somewhere and he’s a fierce competitor and obviously it meant a lot to him, third play of the ballgame last year, having an ACL, coming back off an ACL injury. He played fast between the lines tonight.”
Leader sports editor
Seth Keese’s knee looked completely healthy Friday night.
The only thing in better shape was his spirits.
Keese, Harding Academy’s senior quarterback, had close to 300 total yards as the Wildcats beat defending 3A state champion Fountain Lake 28-20 at First Security Stadium on Friday.
Fountain Lake knocked Harding Academy out of the 3A state semifinals last year and injured Keese’s knee with a late hit on the third play of that game. But Keese got even Friday, rushing for over 155 yards and two touchdowns and passing for 130 yards and two more scores.
“It feels great, this is probably the best I’ve ever felt,” Keese said. “Everybody on our team did amazing. It was awesome.”
Keese, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in last year’s playoff — though he finished the 42-10 loss — had surgery in December and rehabbed in the offseason, skipping basketball to do so. But after leading the Wildcats to a 21-6 lead and throwing in a 97-yard run to set up his second score, he said the hard work was worth it.
“We were so motivated,” Keese said. “I don’t think I said a word in the lockerroom before the game. This is the game I tore my ACL. This is the game I wanted to win. If we lost every other game and we won this, I’d be happy.”
But clearly, after Friday, the Wildcats expect win more.
“They were the No. 1 team in the state, it can’t get better than that,” Keese said. “We’re the team to beat right now. People have to come and prove that they’re better than us.”
Harding Academy coach Roddy Mote was clearly jubilant when he spoke to the Wildcats, whose only loss last year was to Fountain Lake, after their victory. But he cautioned his players that, while they could have a special season, they had won just one regular season game so far.
“We just played hard, I thought we were well-prepared and our kids executed our game plan,” Mote said. “It’s just a special bunch of kids and I think that was evident tonight.”
Keese had rushing touchdowns of 33 and 2 yards and had passing touchdowns of 5 yards to Corey Guymon and 6 yards to Jay
Bona with the last scoring completion making it 28-6.
Fountain Lake got touchdown runs of 35 and 15 yards from Dale Smith in the final 3:25, with Harding Academy playing many of its reserves. The late scores weren’t enough to diminish the effort of the Wildcats’ defense, which recovered a fumble and made four fourth-down stops.
“We played fast,” Mote said. “I felt like our kids did a great job of reading keys and we had a lot of people around the football.”
Harding Academy took a 14-6 halftime thanks to Keese’s two long runs, one that was decidedly longer than the other.
Keese capped a 58-yard drive on the Wildcats’ first possession when he ran in from the 33, but an offensive facemask penalty cost Harding Academy a chance at the conversion and left the score 6-0 with 7:27 left.
Harding Academy’s Seth Ransom sacked Coleman Crawford on third down to help stall Fountain Lake’s possession, and Jace Davis ended another Cobras drive when he recovered a fumble at the Harding Academy 1 with 7:20 left in the half.
Keese then broke off tackle and raced 97 yards before he was dragged down at the Fountain Lake 2. Keese ran it in on the next play and completed the conversion pass to Bona to make it 14-0 with 7:01 remaining.
“It was a zone right and it was a great block,” Keese said of his long run. “I didn’t get touched until the very end when I got horse-collar tackled. But it was great. I just kept running.
“Maybe if I was a little faster I would have scored.”
Fountain Lake took the high short kickoff at its 35 and the Cobras marched for reserve quarterback Michael Pope’s 1-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds left in the half. The biggest gain of the drive was Mark Makin’s 12-yard run for a first down.
John Curtis’ extra-point kick failed to leave it 14-6 at halftime.
Keese led Harding Academy with 143 rushing yards in the first half and Makin led Fountain Lake with 76.
“Seth’s a great high school football player,” Mote said.
“He’ll have an opportunity to play somewhere and he’s a fierce competitor and obviously it meant a lot to him, third play of the ballgame last year, having an ACL, coming back off an ACL injury. He played fast between the lines tonight.”
Friday, September 03, 2010
EDITORIAL >>Our pupils are learning
Arkansas had had no shortage of good news about its schools since it began implementing the federal No Child Left Behind Act eight years ago. Like those in the other 49 states Arkansas’ children made roaring progress on the end-of-year exams that were supposed to measure how much kids learned of what they were supposed to learn.
Pupils at Arnold Drive Elementary School on Little Rock Air Force Base have consistently scored above the state average. The school is ranked third statewide in math achievement, 18th in literacy scores and eighth overall. Stagecoach Elementary in Cabot is 16th in math and 20th overall. Cabot Middle School North is 20th in math, while Magness Creek is 17th overall in the state.
More good news: Cabot's ACT scores are above both state and national averages.
There were laggards here and there, but generally schools made, or seemed to make, dramatic progress. The law was written in a way to effectuate that result, or at least that appearance. Each state could establish its own standards and its own way to measure success. State policy makers wanted to improve the schools but they also did not want to look bad. There were consequences for looking bad. It was impossible to say how much real progress schools in any state were making unless you happened to compare them on a nationally normed test. Then the schools didn’t look so good.
One result of the law was that in far too many classrooms, the incentives to look good on the tests were so overpowering that the tests became everything. Under pressure from administrators, teachers taught the state’s benchmark test and sometimes not a lot else. Knowledge and skill were subordinate to the test score.
This week, we had some real good news for education in the Natural State, not once but twice.
First, the smaller but more tangible good news. The state disclosed the first results from the Arkansas Advanced Initiative in Math and Science. Thirty-one secondary schools have joined the initiative, which is supposed to increase the number of students taking Advanced Placement exams and improve the instruction and raise scores on national Advanced Placement exams. Dr. Ann Robinson, a professor of education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, obtained a grant to join the national project. UALR and other state universities supervised the project, which was designed by Tommie Sue Anthony, a former Jacksonville teacher, Pulaski County Special School District gifted-education coordinator and now a UALR professor.
The results: Students in the original 10 schools posted an overall 68.9 percent overall increase in the number scoring 3, 4 or 5 on science, math and English AP exams, which was almost five times the national two-year increase of 13.6 percent. A score of 3 or above will qualify high school students for college credit in many colleges and universities or placement in advanced courses in other institutions of higher learning. The second group of 14 schools to join the initiative a year ago recorded a 73.6 percent increase, almost 10 times the national one-year average. For African-American and Hispanic kids, the results were even more dramatic. Minority students in the first group of 10 schools registered a 202.4 percent increase in passing scores on math, science and English tests.
That looks like unalloyed good news, unless you want to detract from it by pointing out that Arkansas students had a lot further to go than most. We’ll take it. Now, what will it take to bring this program to all Arkansas high schools?
The other, more cheering news is that Arkansas has joined the national commitment to reform the No Child Left Behind testing regimen so that it may indeed produce the grand results that described in the act: to make a literate and skilled citizen of every single child. It may prove to be President Obama’s worthiest contribution to the country.
Two groups of states, 44 in all, will scrap their state exams and strive for nationally normed tests that will measure not only the minimal knowledge required on most benchmark exams, but higher-order thinking skills. The tests will be computerized and given not just at the end of the year but several times during the year so that every teacher can see the students’ weaknesses and alter his or her lessons to compensate for them. The tests will be useful for the teachers rather than a final measurement of their and the students’ failures after it is too late to make corrections.
Arkansas and the other states agreed this year to adopt common academic standards in English and math that are certain to be more rigorous than their own. The two groups of states will pursue somewhat different strategies so that ultimately we can see which is the more effective. Arkansas is part of the group of 25 states called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. They will share $170 million of federal stimulus money to devise and implement the tests.
The initiative will put new stress on Arkansas teachers, but we imagine most of them will welcome it. The tests will immediately identify for teachers the concepts that their students have not yet learned and will require them to adapt their instruction to make use of the results.
“This could be one of the greatest challenges our teaching force has ever faced, to teach the new concepts embedded in English and math standards and to adapt to these new tests, Mark Schneider, vice president of the American Institutes for Research and the former commissioner of the national testing program, said last week.
It cannot come too soon. Gov. Beebe and the state Education Department deserve some credit for leaving the safety of the old testing scheme that allowed the state to brag every year and instead strike out boldly for the unknown. For all our kids, that good news is real.
Pupils at Arnold Drive Elementary School on Little Rock Air Force Base have consistently scored above the state average. The school is ranked third statewide in math achievement, 18th in literacy scores and eighth overall. Stagecoach Elementary in Cabot is 16th in math and 20th overall. Cabot Middle School North is 20th in math, while Magness Creek is 17th overall in the state.
More good news: Cabot's ACT scores are above both state and national averages.
There were laggards here and there, but generally schools made, or seemed to make, dramatic progress. The law was written in a way to effectuate that result, or at least that appearance. Each state could establish its own standards and its own way to measure success. State policy makers wanted to improve the schools but they also did not want to look bad. There were consequences for looking bad. It was impossible to say how much real progress schools in any state were making unless you happened to compare them on a nationally normed test. Then the schools didn’t look so good.
One result of the law was that in far too many classrooms, the incentives to look good on the tests were so overpowering that the tests became everything. Under pressure from administrators, teachers taught the state’s benchmark test and sometimes not a lot else. Knowledge and skill were subordinate to the test score.
This week, we had some real good news for education in the Natural State, not once but twice.
First, the smaller but more tangible good news. The state disclosed the first results from the Arkansas Advanced Initiative in Math and Science. Thirty-one secondary schools have joined the initiative, which is supposed to increase the number of students taking Advanced Placement exams and improve the instruction and raise scores on national Advanced Placement exams. Dr. Ann Robinson, a professor of education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, obtained a grant to join the national project. UALR and other state universities supervised the project, which was designed by Tommie Sue Anthony, a former Jacksonville teacher, Pulaski County Special School District gifted-education coordinator and now a UALR professor.
The results: Students in the original 10 schools posted an overall 68.9 percent overall increase in the number scoring 3, 4 or 5 on science, math and English AP exams, which was almost five times the national two-year increase of 13.6 percent. A score of 3 or above will qualify high school students for college credit in many colleges and universities or placement in advanced courses in other institutions of higher learning. The second group of 14 schools to join the initiative a year ago recorded a 73.6 percent increase, almost 10 times the national one-year average. For African-American and Hispanic kids, the results were even more dramatic. Minority students in the first group of 10 schools registered a 202.4 percent increase in passing scores on math, science and English tests.
That looks like unalloyed good news, unless you want to detract from it by pointing out that Arkansas students had a lot further to go than most. We’ll take it. Now, what will it take to bring this program to all Arkansas high schools?
The other, more cheering news is that Arkansas has joined the national commitment to reform the No Child Left Behind testing regimen so that it may indeed produce the grand results that described in the act: to make a literate and skilled citizen of every single child. It may prove to be President Obama’s worthiest contribution to the country.
Two groups of states, 44 in all, will scrap their state exams and strive for nationally normed tests that will measure not only the minimal knowledge required on most benchmark exams, but higher-order thinking skills. The tests will be computerized and given not just at the end of the year but several times during the year so that every teacher can see the students’ weaknesses and alter his or her lessons to compensate for them. The tests will be useful for the teachers rather than a final measurement of their and the students’ failures after it is too late to make corrections.
Arkansas and the other states agreed this year to adopt common academic standards in English and math that are certain to be more rigorous than their own. The two groups of states will pursue somewhat different strategies so that ultimately we can see which is the more effective. Arkansas is part of the group of 25 states called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. They will share $170 million of federal stimulus money to devise and implement the tests.
The initiative will put new stress on Arkansas teachers, but we imagine most of them will welcome it. The tests will immediately identify for teachers the concepts that their students have not yet learned and will require them to adapt their instruction to make use of the results.
“This could be one of the greatest challenges our teaching force has ever faced, to teach the new concepts embedded in English and math standards and to adapt to these new tests, Mark Schneider, vice president of the American Institutes for Research and the former commissioner of the national testing program, said last week.
It cannot come too soon. Gov. Beebe and the state Education Department deserve some credit for leaving the safety of the old testing scheme that allowed the state to brag every year and instead strike out boldly for the unknown. For all our kids, that good news is real.
TOP STORY > >Beebe: State is doing well
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Arkansas is one of only four states in the nation not facing budget shortfalls for the fiscal calendar year, Gov. Mike Beebe told Sherwood Chamber of Commerce members at noon Thursday in a de-facto campaign speech.
Without mentioning or alluding to his November general-election challenge from Republican Jim Keet, the governor’s accent on good things happening in the state and the occasional use of the first-person singular, taking some credit, were clues that this is an election season.
Also, a recent education study places the state in the top 10 in improvement, he said.
“We’ve done our job,” Beebe told the chamber members. “Don’t quit now. Get back to work.”
He said no generation had been in a better position to change the national view of Arkansas as a poor back-woods state.
“It’s not ‘Thank God for Mississippi’ anymore,” he said. “We’re finally taking the position where we need to be in the front of the pack.”
He attributed the state’s lack of a budget shortfall to three things: “I’m a conservative budgeter, we’ve both lost and created jobs and people worked together,” he said.
Asked if the state’s balanced- budget amendment wasn’t responsible, the governor said that 40 or more states have balanced-budget requirements.
In Arkansas, “Once the legislature sets the budget, all (fiscal) authority shifts to the governor,” he said.
“With the stroke of the pen, the governor can raise and lower the flow of money,” Beebe said. “No special session (of the legislature) is required.”
Arkansas’ improvements and tax cuts have been in the face of the worst recession since the Great Depression, an observation he repeated two more times.
Nevada is facing a 56.6 percent shortfall, and everyone else except North Dakota, Montana and Alaska are facing shortfalls.
He said New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg recently asked him about “not going in the hole.”
While many cities and states used stimulus funds to plug holes in their budgets, to prevent laying off teachers, firemen and policemen, for instance, the General Assembly used its stimulus money on one-time expenses such as capital improvements.
This spring, Hewlett Packard opened a customer service and technical-support center in Conway in a $28 million facility that plans to eventually employ more than 1,000 employees, the governor said, and credited the Chamber of Commerce leadership from Little Rock, Conway and Benton, the three local communities that were considered with cooperating with each other. He said HP officials credited that as a factor when choosing between central Arkansas and 23 other locations for their expansion.
He also credited the General Assembly, saying, “They have provided me tools no other governor had.”
Specifically, that’s a quick-action closing fund to attract business to the state.
“Nobody likes Congress and nobody likes the General Assembly, but everyone likes their congressman and their representative,” he said.
Beebe provided leadership and took partial credit for cutting more than $600 million in taxes during its administration, most of it through reduction of the state’s sales tax on groceries.
He also asked for and got an increase on natural-gas severance tax, which puts about $30 million a year into state roads, and with raising tobacco taxes to fund a state-wide trauma-center system.
“We netted out $5 million in tax cuts,” he said.
Leader senior staff writer
Arkansas is one of only four states in the nation not facing budget shortfalls for the fiscal calendar year, Gov. Mike Beebe told Sherwood Chamber of Commerce members at noon Thursday in a de-facto campaign speech.
Without mentioning or alluding to his November general-election challenge from Republican Jim Keet, the governor’s accent on good things happening in the state and the occasional use of the first-person singular, taking some credit, were clues that this is an election season.
Also, a recent education study places the state in the top 10 in improvement, he said.
“We’ve done our job,” Beebe told the chamber members. “Don’t quit now. Get back to work.”
He said no generation had been in a better position to change the national view of Arkansas as a poor back-woods state.
“It’s not ‘Thank God for Mississippi’ anymore,” he said. “We’re finally taking the position where we need to be in the front of the pack.”
He attributed the state’s lack of a budget shortfall to three things: “I’m a conservative budgeter, we’ve both lost and created jobs and people worked together,” he said.
Asked if the state’s balanced- budget amendment wasn’t responsible, the governor said that 40 or more states have balanced-budget requirements.
In Arkansas, “Once the legislature sets the budget, all (fiscal) authority shifts to the governor,” he said.
“With the stroke of the pen, the governor can raise and lower the flow of money,” Beebe said. “No special session (of the legislature) is required.”
Arkansas’ improvements and tax cuts have been in the face of the worst recession since the Great Depression, an observation he repeated two more times.
Nevada is facing a 56.6 percent shortfall, and everyone else except North Dakota, Montana and Alaska are facing shortfalls.
He said New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg recently asked him about “not going in the hole.”
While many cities and states used stimulus funds to plug holes in their budgets, to prevent laying off teachers, firemen and policemen, for instance, the General Assembly used its stimulus money on one-time expenses such as capital improvements.
This spring, Hewlett Packard opened a customer service and technical-support center in Conway in a $28 million facility that plans to eventually employ more than 1,000 employees, the governor said, and credited the Chamber of Commerce leadership from Little Rock, Conway and Benton, the three local communities that were considered with cooperating with each other. He said HP officials credited that as a factor when choosing between central Arkansas and 23 other locations for their expansion.
He also credited the General Assembly, saying, “They have provided me tools no other governor had.”
Specifically, that’s a quick-action closing fund to attract business to the state.
“Nobody likes Congress and nobody likes the General Assembly, but everyone likes their congressman and their representative,” he said.
Beebe provided leadership and took partial credit for cutting more than $600 million in taxes during its administration, most of it through reduction of the state’s sales tax on groceries.
He also asked for and got an increase on natural-gas severance tax, which puts about $30 million a year into state roads, and with raising tobacco taxes to fund a state-wide trauma-center system.
“We netted out $5 million in tax cuts,” he said.
TOP STORY > >Commander meets council members
By GARRICK FELDMAN
Leader executive editor
Col. Mike Minihan, the new commander of the 19th Airlift Wing, introduced himself to mem-bers of the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council at a luncheon Wednesday and hailed the return of 166 airmen from Iraq.
Later that evening, there was an emotional reunion on the flightline as scores of relatives and friends welcomed home the airmen. Many of them had been to Iraq more than once.
As the new commander, Minihan allowed loved ones and members of the media on the flightline, a practice that had been discontinued several years ago.
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) also spoke at the luncheon and thanked Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.), who was present but did not speak, for arranging millions of dollars for improvement projects at the base.
The senator said “earmarks” is not a dirty words when it comes to funding worthy local projects.
Pryor also said he wants to make the base “BRAC-proof” and keep it off the endangered list in the next round of the base realignment and closure process.
For Minihan, a veteran C-130 pilot, last month marked a returnto the air base, where he was an aircraft commander with the 61st Airlift Squadron from 1991-94.
Minihan lived in Sherwood before he was assigned to base housing. He married the former Ashley Mixon here. They have three children, Adair, Mikey and Marley. Adair, the oldest, is a sophomore at Little Rock Central, Mikey, 11, attends Lisa Academy North and Marley, 6, is in first grade at the Lisa Academy.
Always upbeat, Minihan was diagnosed with thyroid cancer by a flight surgeon at the base hospital several years ago.
He underwent two operations and radiation treatments here and recovered from the cancer.
He is the son of retired Lt. Gen. Kenneth and Barbara Minihan.
Before his return to LRAFB, Minihan was vice commander of the 60th Air Mobility Command at Travis Air Force Base in California, which is responsible for worldwide air mobility operations involving C-5, KC-10 and C-17 aircraft.
The colonel told the community council the Air Force will mark its 63rd anniversary this month. President Truman on Sept. 17, 1947, signed into law the creation of the new military branch. Until then, the Air Force was part of the Army Air Corps.
The air base will mark the anniversary on Sept. 18 at Hangar 1080.
Pryor praised Snyder for helping to push numerous improvement projects through Congress worth millions of dollars. Snyder serves on the House Armed Services Committee but is not seeking re-election.
Snyder’s support for the base includes:
$9.8 million to rebuild the flightline, which has been in disrepair for many years.
$3.9 million for a Child Development Center. In the last several years, demand for childcare at the base has grown rapidly and is expected to continue.
$10.7 million for a C-130 fuel-cell corrosion-control hangar for environmentally safe repair of fuel cells as well as corrosion control of aircraft parts.
Consolidated Family Support Services at a cost of $6.8 million includes a community center, library, airman family-readiness center and thrift shop.
Airman dormitory costing $18 million.
Security forces operations facility for $10.4 million.
Joint Education Center received $9.8 million from the Air Force. Jacksonville contributed $5 million. Construction will be completed in November.
Pryor said he wanted to expand the avionics-modernization program, which extends the life of aging C-130s with updated features that save the military millions of dollars a year.
In addition, Snyder helped preserve the C-130J program, which was scheduled for elimination. Instead, some two dozen C-130Js are to be assigned at LRAFB.
The air base will hold its open house Oct. 9-10. A quarter million people are expected to attend.
Leader executive editor
Col. Mike Minihan, the new commander of the 19th Airlift Wing, introduced himself to mem-bers of the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council at a luncheon Wednesday and hailed the return of 166 airmen from Iraq.
Later that evening, there was an emotional reunion on the flightline as scores of relatives and friends welcomed home the airmen. Many of them had been to Iraq more than once.
As the new commander, Minihan allowed loved ones and members of the media on the flightline, a practice that had been discontinued several years ago.
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) also spoke at the luncheon and thanked Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.), who was present but did not speak, for arranging millions of dollars for improvement projects at the base.
The senator said “earmarks” is not a dirty words when it comes to funding worthy local projects.
Pryor also said he wants to make the base “BRAC-proof” and keep it off the endangered list in the next round of the base realignment and closure process.
For Minihan, a veteran C-130 pilot, last month marked a returnto the air base, where he was an aircraft commander with the 61st Airlift Squadron from 1991-94.
Minihan lived in Sherwood before he was assigned to base housing. He married the former Ashley Mixon here. They have three children, Adair, Mikey and Marley. Adair, the oldest, is a sophomore at Little Rock Central, Mikey, 11, attends Lisa Academy North and Marley, 6, is in first grade at the Lisa Academy.
Always upbeat, Minihan was diagnosed with thyroid cancer by a flight surgeon at the base hospital several years ago.
He underwent two operations and radiation treatments here and recovered from the cancer.
He is the son of retired Lt. Gen. Kenneth and Barbara Minihan.
Before his return to LRAFB, Minihan was vice commander of the 60th Air Mobility Command at Travis Air Force Base in California, which is responsible for worldwide air mobility operations involving C-5, KC-10 and C-17 aircraft.
The colonel told the community council the Air Force will mark its 63rd anniversary this month. President Truman on Sept. 17, 1947, signed into law the creation of the new military branch. Until then, the Air Force was part of the Army Air Corps.
The air base will mark the anniversary on Sept. 18 at Hangar 1080.
Pryor praised Snyder for helping to push numerous improvement projects through Congress worth millions of dollars. Snyder serves on the House Armed Services Committee but is not seeking re-election.
Snyder’s support for the base includes:
$9.8 million to rebuild the flightline, which has been in disrepair for many years.
$3.9 million for a Child Development Center. In the last several years, demand for childcare at the base has grown rapidly and is expected to continue.
$10.7 million for a C-130 fuel-cell corrosion-control hangar for environmentally safe repair of fuel cells as well as corrosion control of aircraft parts.
Consolidated Family Support Services at a cost of $6.8 million includes a community center, library, airman family-readiness center and thrift shop.
Airman dormitory costing $18 million.
Security forces operations facility for $10.4 million.
Joint Education Center received $9.8 million from the Air Force. Jacksonville contributed $5 million. Construction will be completed in November.
Pryor said he wanted to expand the avionics-modernization program, which extends the life of aging C-130s with updated features that save the military millions of dollars a year.
In addition, Snyder helped preserve the C-130J program, which was scheduled for elimination. Instead, some two dozen C-130Js are to be assigned at LRAFB.
The air base will hold its open house Oct. 9-10. A quarter million people are expected to attend.
TOP STORY > >Sergeant: Duty tough, home sweet
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Tech Sgt. Matthew Palmer was one of 166 airmen who returned home this week to Little Rock Air Force Base. They were greeted with hugs from their loved ones after a deployment to the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Palmer arrived Monday, stepping from a C-130 into arims of his wife, Kason. They’ve been married for two years and live near Ward. He has been stationed at LRAFB since 2008.
“That was really nice and cool to have everybody come to the plane, instead of being processed in the hangar,” Palmer said.
Palmer said this was his most difficult deployment, having been away for four months.
“We did have Internet access and were able to use e-mail and instant messaging to keep in touch. That made it much more bearable. It was still pretty rough for me,” he said.
Palmer is a load master with the 41st Airlift Squadron of the 19th Airlift Wing. He was stationed at a NATO base in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. It was his first deployment to the country supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
In Afghanistan, the crews made air drops to the forward operating bases. Palmer said the loads included Humvees, generators and soldiers, as well as air medical evacuations.
C-130s delivered food, water and other supplies to smaller operating bases when it was too dangerous for convoys on the ground.
Missions were flown day and night and over mountainous terrain. Some landings were on dirt.
Afghanistan’s hot and dry desert made an impression on Palmer. It was not sandy, but a fine talcum-powder dust.
“Everything kicks it up. It hangs around and is like a haze in the air. You can’t distinguish a horizon line,” he said.
Palmer has been in the Air Force for 10 years, three of those years as a load master. Palmer was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He did not grow up in a military family; his parents worked in the medical field.
He graduated high school in 1999 and then attended college for three semesters. Palmer wanted to be out on his own. He chose to join the Air Force in 2000 because it provided the best opportunities for him.
“The Air Force would take care of a lot of stuff. I wouldn’t have to worry about losing a job, being homeless or paying for medical insurance and you get to see the world,” Palmer said.
Palmer began his Air Force career as an aircraft-armament-system specialist for F-15C and E models.
He loaded missiles and bombs on the fighters and maintained the weapon-release systems on the planes.
He said it was a tough job. He worked on the F-15s electrical in all types of weather with temperatures of 40 below zero in Alaska to 130 degrees at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
In 2007, Palmer changed career paths from working with fighters to being a load master on cargo planes. He said the weapons field was not for him. Palmer said he applied for every enlisted flying job. His top choices were a load master, a flight engineer and a boom operator for aerial fueling on KC-10s and KC-135s.
“When my cross training was approved, that was the happiest day of my life. I wanted to fly on airplanes. I’ve always loved flying. I flew between Mom’s house in Boise (Idaho) and Dad’s house in Amarillo about twice a year,” Palmer said.
He recalled a moment that influenced his decision to change his job in the Air Force.
“I was on a flight with 60 people on a C-130. I remember the load master as the most comfortable guy on the entire flight at the back of the plane,” he said.
Palmer loves his job and says it is good to be an enlisted aviator because he is treated well and his work is appreciated.
Leader staff writer
Tech Sgt. Matthew Palmer was one of 166 airmen who returned home this week to Little Rock Air Force Base. They were greeted with hugs from their loved ones after a deployment to the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Palmer arrived Monday, stepping from a C-130 into arims of his wife, Kason. They’ve been married for two years and live near Ward. He has been stationed at LRAFB since 2008.
“That was really nice and cool to have everybody come to the plane, instead of being processed in the hangar,” Palmer said.
Palmer said this was his most difficult deployment, having been away for four months.
“We did have Internet access and were able to use e-mail and instant messaging to keep in touch. That made it much more bearable. It was still pretty rough for me,” he said.
Palmer is a load master with the 41st Airlift Squadron of the 19th Airlift Wing. He was stationed at a NATO base in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. It was his first deployment to the country supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
In Afghanistan, the crews made air drops to the forward operating bases. Palmer said the loads included Humvees, generators and soldiers, as well as air medical evacuations.
C-130s delivered food, water and other supplies to smaller operating bases when it was too dangerous for convoys on the ground.
Missions were flown day and night and over mountainous terrain. Some landings were on dirt.
Afghanistan’s hot and dry desert made an impression on Palmer. It was not sandy, but a fine talcum-powder dust.
“Everything kicks it up. It hangs around and is like a haze in the air. You can’t distinguish a horizon line,” he said.
Palmer has been in the Air Force for 10 years, three of those years as a load master. Palmer was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He did not grow up in a military family; his parents worked in the medical field.
He graduated high school in 1999 and then attended college for three semesters. Palmer wanted to be out on his own. He chose to join the Air Force in 2000 because it provided the best opportunities for him.
“The Air Force would take care of a lot of stuff. I wouldn’t have to worry about losing a job, being homeless or paying for medical insurance and you get to see the world,” Palmer said.
Palmer began his Air Force career as an aircraft-armament-system specialist for F-15C and E models.
He loaded missiles and bombs on the fighters and maintained the weapon-release systems on the planes.
He said it was a tough job. He worked on the F-15s electrical in all types of weather with temperatures of 40 below zero in Alaska to 130 degrees at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
In 2007, Palmer changed career paths from working with fighters to being a load master on cargo planes. He said the weapons field was not for him. Palmer said he applied for every enlisted flying job. His top choices were a load master, a flight engineer and a boom operator for aerial fueling on KC-10s and KC-135s.
“When my cross training was approved, that was the happiest day of my life. I wanted to fly on airplanes. I’ve always loved flying. I flew between Mom’s house in Boise (Idaho) and Dad’s house in Amarillo about twice a year,” Palmer said.
He recalled a moment that influenced his decision to change his job in the Air Force.
“I was on a flight with 60 people on a C-130. I remember the load master as the most comfortable guy on the entire flight at the back of the plane,” he said.
Palmer loves his job and says it is good to be an enlisted aviator because he is treated well and his work is appreciated.
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